Current Hot Press cover star Imelda May has debuted at No.1 on the Official Irish Albums Chart this week, with her acclaimed new album, 11 Past The Hour – making her the first Irish female solo artist to score that top spot in almost five years.

According to officialcharts.com, Lisa Hannigan was the last homegrown female artist to go No.1 on the chart, with At Swim in August 2016.

11 Past The Hour – which also claimed the most CD and download sales this week – is Imelda's fourth No.1, following 2009's Love Tattoo, 2010's Mayhem and 2014's Tribal. She's now tied with Madonna, Beyoncé and Ariana Grande for the second most chart-topping albums in Ireland by a female artist this millennium.

“This is for women in Ireland, Irish men, everybody who is told they can’t do something," Imelda told officialcharts.com. "Bloody well do it! Apparently, I’m the first Irish female solo artist to have four Number 1 albums this century, so if I can do it, you can do it.

"For every woman in this music industry who’s told she has a sell by date I’m proof we just get better and better. We’re feckin’ Mnásome!!!”

In her cover story in the current issue of Hot Press, Imelda reflects on feminism, love, the far-right, rejecting Catholicism, embracing paganism, her creative camaraderie with Bono, and – of course – her acclaimed new album.

Elsewhere on the Official Irish Albums Chart, recent Hot Press interviewees London Grammar have debuted at No.2 with their third album, Californian Soil – their highest-ranking album in Ireland, and this week's best seller on vinyl.

On the Official Irish Singles Chart, meanwhile, Lil Nas X has scored a fourth week at No.1 with 'Montero (Call Me By Your Name)'. Following the success of her chart-topping debut single, 'Drivers License', earlier this year, Olivia Rodrigo continues to rise up the chart with her second single, 'Deja Vu' – which is up three places to No. 5 this week.

Pick up your copy of the current issue of Hot Press – featuring cover star Imelda May – in shops now, or order online below: