In a move that stunned the music world, Robbie Williams has unleashed his thirteenth studio album, 'BRITPOP', onto the public a full three weeks ahead of its scheduled release date.
A Surprise Midnight Launch in the Capital
The unexpected release occurred in the early hours of Friday morning. To mark the occasion, the album's distinctive artwork was projected onto several iconic London landmarks, creating a spectacular and unmissable announcement for the city. This bold launch strategy underscores the personal significance of the record for Williams.
This album has already navigated a delayed journey to reach listeners. Originally slated for an October release, BRITPOP was first pushed back to February. Williams candidly admitted this was to avoid a direct clash with Taylor Swift's 'Life Of A Showgirl', stating he 'couldn't compete' with the global superstar's scheduled drop.
The Album He Always Wanted to Make
BRITPOP represents a full-circle moment for the singer. Williams explains that this is the guitar-driven record he always intended to create after leaving Take That in 1995, at the height of the Britpop movement that shaped his early solo ambitions. "I set out to create the album that I wanted to write and release after I left Take That in 1995," he said. "It was the peak of Britpop and a golden age for British Music."
The tracklist features singles like 'Rocket', 'Spies', and 'All My Life', and boasts a remarkable roster of collaborators. The album includes contributions from:
- Chris Martin of Coldplay
- Gaz Coombes of Supergrass
- Black Sabbath legend Tony Iommi
- Mexican pop duo Jesse and Joy
- Former Take That bandmate Gary Barlow
"I’ve worked with some of my heroes on this album," Williams added. "It’s raw, there are more guitars and it’s an album that’s even more upbeat and anthemic than usual."
Chart History and a Nostalgic Tour
If BRITPOP secures the number one spot on the UK albums chart, it will be a landmark achievement for Williams. He will draw level with The Beatles for the most UK chart-topping albums by a solo artist, a historic feat.
The album artwork itself is a nod to this pivotal era, featuring the red tracksuit Williams famously wore at Glastonbury in 1995. That festival saw him partying with Oasis's Liam Gallagher shortly after his Take That departure, a period where his musical aspirations were firmly aligned with the Britpop scene, despite later famous insults from Noel Gallagher.
Williams is currently on a sold-out tour, which kicked off in Edinburgh on May 31 and has travelled across Europe. The upcoming UK leg in February will see him perform in Glasgow, Liverpool, London, and Wolverhampton. At these shows, he will play both his debut album, Life Thru A Lens, and BRITPOP in their entirety, bridging his past and present.
