Robbie Williams jumps back into his musical origins with a daring studio album, Britpop, intended to pay homage to what he calls “a golden age for British music.” Scheduled for release this autumn under Columbia Records, the album pays tribute to the legendary Britpop movement of the 1990s, when bands such as Oasis, Blur, and Pulp ruled the charts. This is Williams' 13th solo album and his first original solo album, not a seasonal or compilation album, since The Heavy Entertainment Show, released in 2016. The unguarded release date is eagerly anticipated, as critics and fans teeter on excitement. Above all, Williams declares that this album is the one he always wanted to make after breaking away from Take That in 1995, right when the Britpop wave was at its crest.
A Tribute to Gritty Guitars and Iconic Collaborations
Making the genre special is the raucous opening single “Rocket,” featuring none other than Black Sabbath’s guitar god, Tony Iommi. The fiery composition undergoes anthemic hooks and guitar-driven energy, reiterating Williams’ notion of electricity for live input. Yet, Britpop is reported to be louder, bolder, and guitar-heavy compared to any music he has brought forth lately, an assertion Williams describes as equal parts of Brit and pop. A video for “Rocket” is in the works and is set to be launched on May 23. It notably features Williams and Iommi in Birmingham, Iommi’s hometown, crystallizing a nostalgic yet fresh visual salute to the British rock heritage.
Upcoming Tour and Cultural References
Nonetheless, Williams isn’t stopping at just a studio release. He will be on the road for a big U.K. and European tour this summer, filling London’s Emirates Stadium for huge gigs on the 6th and 7th of June. A couple of great acts will support this tour: The Lottery Winners from Warrington and soulful Rag ‘N’ Bone Man, which, on certain dates, will be a wide-ranging musical treat for promoters and attendees alike. In a way, another layer of depth is granted to the album's visual side. The cover art holds a memory of Williams’ classic red tracksuit, originally worn at Glastonbury 1995- an emblematic tribute to the transformation he and Britpop underwent. Interestingly, also featured in the art is an illustration bearing a protest-style imagery: two figures sporting “Just Stop Pop” shirts deface the artwork in mimicry of the activist group Just Stop Oil's provocative aesthetics.
