{
  "id": 8275406,
  "title": "Ezra Collective Secure First U.K. No. 1 Album With ‘Here Because of Hope’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/ezra-collective-secure-first-u-k-no-1-album-with-here-because-of-hope",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-18T17:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Billboard",
    "slug": "billboard",
    "url": "https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/ezra-collective-here-because-of-hope-number-1-album-uk-1236343295/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "U.K. group Ezra Collective has achieved its first No. 1 album on the Official Albums Chart, with their fourth LP titled \"Here Because of Hope.\" The album, released this year, surpasses previous charts where they peaked at No. 70 in 2019, No. 24 in 2023, and No. 7 in 2024. Critics and peers have recognized the group's significant contributions to jazz music, winning the prestigious Mercury Prize in 2023 for their 2023 release \"Where I'm Meant to Be\" and taking home the Best Group award at the 2025 BRIT Awards. Speaking to Billboard U.K., bandleader Femi Koleoso emphasized his desire for the group's achievements to be accessible to aspiring musicians, inspiring them to believe in their own potential. Other notable entries in the current chart include Michael Jackson's greatest hits collection at No. 2, Olivia Rodrigo's \"you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love\" holding at No. 3, Sienna Spiro's \"Visitor\" at No. 4, Oasis' \"Time Flies\" at No. 5, and Bloc Party's \"Anatomy of a Brief Romance\" at No. 6.",
  "summary": "The London-formed jazz band previously peaked at No. 7 in 2024.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}