Voice of London

Today, former Take That star, Robbie Williams has released his first Christmas album featuring eight covers and twenty original songs.

Who’s featured?

The album ‘The Christmas Present’, collaborates with jazz pop singer and radio presenter, Jamie Cullum, in a cover of ‘Merry Xmas Everybody’, and German singer Helene Fischer in a ‘Santa Baby’ rework.

Other collaborations consist of Rod Stewart on two of the tracks, one original song, ‘Fairytales’, and one deluxe album cover of ‘It Takes Two.’

Professional British boxer, Tyson Fury is also featured on William’s original and somewhat controversial track, ‘Bad Sharon’, where they sing the lyrics “grab that Sharon from the office, nick the champagne let’s get off it”, and a speech clip of Fury saying, “here he comes I can see him. Go to bed you sleepy dossers.”

The ‘Angels’ star has also got his own father involved, otherwise known as Poppa Pete on the album in the track, ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’.

What’s the vibe?

As his 13^th album release, it has a mixed feel mimicking jazz favourites such as Frank Sinatra and Michael Buble in Christmas classics such as ‘Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!’, and ‘The Christmas Song (Chestnuts roasting on an open fire).’

Hints of Williams past personas are found within his original songs ‘Time for change’, which sounds similar to Take That tracks and ‘Snowflakes,’ that creates a reminiscence of his solo work in the mid-00s.

The track ‘Soul Transmission,’ creates an 80’s Bandaid feel and upbeat original ‘Merry Kissmas,’ mirrors Bruno Mars vibes with more funky beats and falsetto.

The diverse 2019 album is split into two discs. The first named ‘Christmas past’ features more Christmas classic covers while the second disc named ‘Christmas future’, holds more of his originals. There are also four deluxe tracks making a grand total of 28 songs for the album.

On the cover, Williams is displayed as a Scrooge like character, who is holding his own album,  to compliment the names for the album and featured discs, but is far from it in his songs.

Could Robbie make a comeback?

Could this be the start of Rock DJ Williams transition from Christmas office party star to household Christmas name up with Mariah Carey, Wham! and Micheal Buble?

Or, could Robbie Williams have passed his prime providing us with the question, is he really relevant anymore?

We asked the public what they thought about the album, the relevancy and the debatable lyrical genius that goes with it.

‘The Robbie Williams Christmas party’ live show is being held on the 16^th of December at the SSE arena Wembley, as well as an ITV December special ‘It’s not the Robbie Williams Christmas show’.

The album is available to listen to on Spotify, Apple Music and Deezer.

Words and audio: Drew-Alexandra O’Keeffe

Image: Amazon.co.uk