Brandi Carlile Rewrites Record on Top Rock & Alternative Albums With Latest No. 1 Album

Brandi Carlile breaks the record for most No. 1’s by a woman on Billboard’s Top Rock & Alternative Albums chart, as her latest album Returning to Myself debuts atop the Nov. 8-dated tally.

In its first week, ending Oct. 30, Returning to Myself earned 35,000 equivalent album units, according to Luminate. That sum includes 32,000 in album sales.

Returning to Myself is Carlile’s fifth No. 1 on the ranking, all achieved consecutively. She first led with 2015’s The Firewatcher’s Daughter, followed by 2018’s By the Way, I Forgive You, 2021’s In These Silent Days and this year’s Elton John collaboration Who Believes in Angels?.

Carlile’s five leaders are the most by a woman or woman-led act since Top Rock & Alternative Albums began in 2006. Previously, she was tied for the mark with Florence + the Machine and Paramore. (The distinction may be short lived; the former’s new album, Everybody Scream, was released Oct. 31 and will hit next week’s Billboard charts, dated Nov. 15.)

Returning to Myself also starts at No. 1 on Top Rock Albums and Americana/Folk Albums. It’s Carlile’s sixth ruler on the latter list, second only to Bob Dylan’s eight.

Elsewhere, Returning to Myself marks Carlile’s second No. 1 on Top Album Sales, and first since By the Way, I Forgive You. Of the new set’s 32,000 in sales, 15,000 are via vinyl; as a result, the LP starts at No. 2 on Vinyl Albums.

On the all-format Billboard 200, Returning to Myself opens at No. 7, marking Carlile’s fifth top 10, where she first ranked with the No. 10-peaking Bear Creek in 2012. Her personal best on the chart was set by By the Way, I Forgive You (No. 5).

Returning to Myself’s title track lead single reached No. 12 on Adult Alternative Airplay (Oct. 18). Its follow-up, “Human,” is bubbling under the list.