David Bowie's comeback The Next Day has captured the imagination of the international record buying public, and is on course to deliver his biggest hit since Let's Dance in 1983.

Bowie, who featured on the cover of Hot Press last issue, has debuted at No. 1 in the Irish charts this week. The record is already at No. 1 in Sweden.

The news comes hard on the heels of insider industry speculation that he is about to have his first US No. 1 album. The album is also likely to claim the top spot in the UK, when the charts are released on Sunday.

Just below the Thin White Duke is Emeli Sandé. After 57 weeks on the charts, her hugely popular Our Version Of Events is down just one place from last week to No. 2. Sandé's Live At The Royal Albert Hall also jumps from 16 to 9. Earlier this week, Noel Gallagher claimed that Emili Sandé makes "music for grannies", but does she care? Unlikely!

Below her are forthcoming Slane headliners Bon Jovi, whose What About Now is off to a great start going straight in at No. 3.

Rounding off the Top 5, are Bruno Mars' Unorthodox Jukebox and Passenger's All The Little Lights.

It's another good week for Passenger, who remain at the top of the independent album chart. They're followed by Villagers' {Awayland}, which leaps four places from No. 6.

Stereophonics remain at No. 3, while Josh Ritter's The Beast In Its Tracks falls slightly to No. 4.

John Grant's quite brilliant Pale Green Ghosts is a new entry, completing the Top 5.

Get the full rundown here.