Music
19 Apr 24

LYRA scores her first No.1 album with her self-titled debut

The current Hot Press cover star dethrones Beyoncé at the top of the Official Irish Albums Chart this week

Following the release of her long-awaited debut album last Friday – which she celebrated with an epic Windmill Live show with Hot Press – LYRA has soared straight to No.1 on the Official Irish Albums Chart.

The Co. Cork star's chart success with her self-titled project brings Beyoncé's two-week run at No.1 with Cowboy Carter to an end. That record-breaking album has now been relegated to No.2 – followed by Noah Kahan's Stick Season at No.3, Olivia Rodrigo's Guts at No.4, and The Weeknd's The Highlights at No.5.

LYRA has also debuted at No.1 on this week's Irish Independent Albums Chart.

LYRA currently stars on the cover of Hot Press, to coincide with her highly anticipated album release. In her cover story interview, she opened up about heartbreak, growth, the influence of Sinéad and Dolores, and the long road to her debut album.

“It’s a very personal journey," LYRA told Hot Press. "I write about everything that happens in my life. Calling it LYRA just seemed like the right thing, because there are 13 different LYRAs on there that people are going to find out about…

“The heartbroken one, the depressed one, the dirty one in LA… The one who had her first one-night stand! The one who got invited to a David Guetta writing camp that was totally out of her comfort zone. They’re all in there.”

The interview also found LYRA crossing her fingers for the self-titled project to claim the top spot on the charts – a goal she has now accomplished.

“I used to be the person that was like, ‘I would love to get this, and this,’ she reflects. “I’d live my life always reaching for such high goals, and if they weren’t achieved, I’d be sad about it. So I’m just embracing the now. I have an album that I’ve wanted to put out for years, and I’d love it to be No.1 in Ireland. I’d be so grateful. And then, I’ll push forward to another goal – and I’ll see where it takes me.”