Robbie Williams’ latest album, “Britpop,” has been a highly anticipated release, surrounded by a whirlwind of promotion and speculation. The 13th album from the former Take That member, “Britpop” is Williams’ attempt to revisit the golden age of British music in the 1990s.
The album’s release has been a complicated affair, with several delays and a last-minute decision to drop it in mid-January, presumably to avoid competing with the likes of Taylor Swift. Despite the unconventional rollout, “Britpop” is a peculiar and engaging offering from the pop superstar.
Williams has described the album as the one he “wanted to make when he left Take That,” and a celebration of the Britpop era. However, one can’t help but wonder why he would want to revisit a time when he was “lost, in the grip of addiction, and subject to a lot of pretty unpleasant public mockery.”
The album itself is a mixed bag, with moments of brilliance and others that feel like mere pastiche. Tracks like “Rocket” and “Spies” capture the swagger and energy of Britpop, while the ungainly glam of “Cocky” falls flat. The vocal inflections on “All My Life” and the wall of distorted guitars on “Spies” are clear nods to the Britpop sound, but the overall result is more homage than innovation.
Surprises abound on “Britpop,” such as the “jokey, faintly homoerotic synth-pop paean to the former Smiths frontman Morrissey,” co-authored by Gary Barlow. The album also features the beautiful, electronic ballad “Human,” which features Mexican pop duo Jesse & Joy and Coldplay’s Chris Martin, an unlikely combination that somehow works.
Ultimately, “Britpop” is a mixed bag that never quite reaches the heights of Williams’ biggest hits, like “Angels” or “Let Me Entertain You.” But for fans of the Britpop era, the album offers a nostalgic trip down memory lane, with Williams’ signature swagger and sparkle keeping the listener engaged throughout.
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