Chart Check [Billboard 200]: Despite Being the Week’s Top-Selling New Female Album, Kylie Minogue’s ‘Tension II’ Is Her Lowest-Charting Effort Since 2008

Thanks to her latest LP, ‘Tension II,‘ Aussie Pop Queen Kylie Minogue now stands beside King of Pop Michael Jackson on the all-time list as she’s now racked up her 10th #1 hit on UK album charts.

Released October 18 on the back of lead single ‘Lights Camera Action,’ the 13-track set was reportedly designed to be an expansion of 2023’s ‘Tension‘ originally but was transformed into a star-studded standalone LP that boasts features from Sia, The Blessed Madonna, Diplo, Orville Peck, Bebe Rexha, Tove Lo, and more.

Yet, despite the promotional onslaught Minogue embarked on in its support on the global front, the Stateside opening of ‘Tension II’ pales in comparison to its UK chart performance.

First-Week Sales (SPS):  12,000 units

Billboard 200 Debut:  #98

With its opening in the top quadrant of the Billboard 200, 2023’s ‘Tension’ – on the strength of its smash single ‘Padam Padam‘ – brought with it Minogue’s biggest first-week sales in the U.S. since 2004’s ‘Body Language.’

Unable to boast as handsome a premiere, ‘Tension II’ is printed at #98 on the updated all-genre chart due to total first-week sales of 12,000 units.

The arrival marks her lowest opening since the ‘X‘ album peaked at #139 in 2008.

Like its forerunner, however, ‘Tension II’ did manage to collect enough sales that it’s crowned the week’s top-selling new album among female acts.

Look below to see who joins Minogue on this week’s TGJ Chart Check.

*see the full chart here 

Here’s hoping the set’s supporting jaunt, the ‘Tension World Tour,’ will be just what the doctor ordered to help hoist it to higher heights on the Billboard 200.

[photo source: Billboard]