Album Review: Robbie Williams – Britpop

Robbie Williams’ accolades are far too extensive to repeat in one simple introduction, but for people in the UK at least his career is one of legendary proportions. Seven number one singles, twelve number one albums, countless awards and world records, and a movie of his life, all leading to him becoming one of the best-selling music artists of all time. Putting aside his success, he is also a very savvy businessman, and his new album Britpop is another venture born from a talented man with incredible drive and determination. 

Rocket opens the record with an intensity not seen from Robbie since the early 2000’s. Its high octane, rip-roaring rock, brought up massively by Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi on lead duties. Following that is the other initial single Spies which, while not having the same drive, delivers a punchy chorus and excellent vocal performance all round. Pretty Face brings back the more typical Britpop melody, in some ways reminiscent of a riff from Suede but simpler in construction. Cocky’s groove pulls you into swinging along to the sleazy guitar riff and occasional honky-tonk piano passages, while All My Life takes a power-ballad approach and puts you at the centre of a stadium concert. It will certainly become a singalong for Robbie’s future sets.

Human, featuring Mexican pop duo Jesse & Joy, is the softest song in the track list, washing over the listener. It’s a gorgeous tune, showing that even with a rigid theme for the album’s sound there’s still wiggle room. Morrissey follows, co-written by Robbie’s Take That bandmate Gary Barlow and featuring him on backing vocals. It manages to take the sound one step further, with a bubbling synth line and drum machine, Robbie singing very empathetic lyrics about the titular singer. You brings the guitars back, sounding like a hybrid of Fontaines DC and Fat Dog, while It’s Okay Until the Drugs Stop Working goes backwards, taking inspiration from the likes of Roy Orbison musically. Pocket Rocket acts as a lovely full-circle conclusion to the main album, a calmer version of the opener.

Britpop on the surface is a departure for Robbie, but upon listening you quickly realise that all of his signature elements are present and correct. Witty lyrics, perfectly formed songs, performed with gusto. There’s rockier instrumentation overall, sure, but this just makes the tracks feel timeless. Robbie, as always, is on fine form.

Ryan Bulbeck

Writer and Musician, Ryan Bulbeck has been published with a number of online publications, and has worked with a myriad of great artists, both as a performer, and as a producer. His most recent band The 295 are still active, playing shows around the UK.