Robbie Williams releases surprise album Britpop two weeks early
Robbie Williams has chosen to release his 13th album, the winkingly titled Britpop, two weeks ahead of schedule as a surprise. This marks his first record of original material in a decade, aside from a partially original 2019 Christmas album, reports BritPanorama.
During the past ten years, Williams has been actively engaged in various creative pursuits, including an art exhibition, a Netflix documentary, and a biopic where he portrayed himself as a CGI chimp. These works sought to illuminate his struggles with addiction and mental health, reshaping public perception from that of a flamboyant entertainer to a complex and troubled individual. However, the desire for the spotlight remains evident.
Britpop reflects this duality, exhibiting a touch of bitterness towards his 90s counterparts, Oasis. The album cover features a portrait of a young Robbie in an Adidas track top, beset by protestors wearing shirts that read “just stop pop.” This juxtaposes his pop sensibilities against the Gallagher brothers’ more traditional machismo, hinting at a nostalgia for a cooler persona.
Williams noted that this was the album he had envisioned upon leaving Take That in 1995; it attempts both to shed his pop-star image and to embrace it. The musical journey traverses genres like pop punk, grunge, and Radio 2-friendly ballads, all while his signature sound continues to shine through.
The album opens with “Rocket,” a lead single featuring Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi, embracing a vigorous pop-punk energy. The chorus proclaims, “What a time to be alive!” setting an exuberant tone. However, this energy soon gives way to tracks like “Spies” and “Pretty Face,” the latter being a more traditional love song that belies some of the initial exuberance.
Yet, the album achieves its most profound moments with “All My Life,” where Williams steps back from the buoyancy, reflecting on his life’s journey with lines that resonate with themes of self-loathing and pride. The steady beat and melody evoke a Gallagher-esque quality, anchoring the listener in a deeper emotional landscape.
In “Human,” featuring the Mexican duo Jesse & Joy, Williams delves into darker themes, juxtaposing humour with gravity. The track discusses the potential consequences of words, while also demonstrating Williams’s enduring wit. Following a slow love song, “You,” and the theatrical “It’s OK Until the Drugs Stop Working,” the album closes with a subdued reprise of the opening track, providing an authentic and introspective conclusion.
If Robbie’s goal with this latest album is to infuse depth and narrative into his artistry, Britpop clearly makes strides in that direction. Despite a few stilted moments, the project encapsulates his struggles and contradictions, showcasing a more genuine side of the artist.
