Robbie Williams is returning with his first album of new material in almost ten years, and this time he has brought some old friends back into the studio. The record, titled Britpop, will be released in October and features a song co-written and performed with former Take That bandmate Gary Barlow.

The announcement came during an album playback at London’s Groucho Club, where Williams spoke about his collaborators and the inspiration behind the project. Alongside Barlow, the album also includes contributions from Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, and Supergrass frontman Gaz Coombes.

Key Highlights from the Launch

• Gary Barlow collaboration: The track Morrissey tells the story of a fan’s obsession with The Smiths frontman.

• AI-inspired track: Human reflects Williams’s thoughts on artificial intelligence and its impact on society.

• Smallest-ever show: Williams will perform for just 500 fans, playing both Life Thru A Lens and Britpop in full, following his European stadium tour.

The partnership with Barlow marks another chapter in a relationship that has gone through highs and lows since Williams left Take That in 1995. Their friendship was rebuilt during the band’s Progress tour in 2011, and now they appear to be back on creative ground together.

Williams described Britpop as the album he wished he had released after leaving Take That, at the height of the mid-90s Britpop explosion. He admitted that in recent years he felt “aimless” musically, often chasing past successes, but said this record represents a fresh starting point.

The singer also reflected on his career, from the heights of solo fame with hits like Angels and Let Me Entertain You to recent projects such as his 2023 Netflix documentary and the 2024 biopic Better Man, which depicted him in unconventional form.

Beyond music, Williams discussed his interest in visual art and in building opportunities for young people in the creative industries. He said he hopes to make entertainment “Plan A and Plan B” for future generations, offering stability in a field often seen as uncertain.

With Britpop, Williams looks set to revisit the sounds of his past while reconnecting with old allies. Fans will find out in October whether the album lives up to the anticipation.