Robbie Williams has delayed the release of his long-awaited new album Britpop until February 2026.
The record, which will be the former Take That star’s first in nearly a decade, was originally due out on October 10. In an update shared with fans on Tuesday, Williams’ team confirmed that the date has now been moved to February 6, 2026.
“Due to scheduling changes Britpop will now be released on February 6, 2026,” a message to fans read. “Your order will be dispatched in line with the new release date. Apologies for any inconvenience caused, we promise it will be worth the wait.”
No reason has been given for the shift, though speculation online has ranged from industry-wide vinyl pressing delays to a strategic decision to give the album a better chance at topping the charts. Some noted that its original release week coincided with Taylor Swift’s new album Life of a Showgirl dropping, though this has not been confirmed as a factor.
If Britpop debuts at Number One, it would mark Williams’ 16th UK chart-topping album, putting him ahead of The Beatles’ long-standing record.
The singer previewed the album at a private playback event at London’s Groucho Club earlier this year, where he also announced his “smallest-ever ticketed gig” at Camden’s Dingwalls. There, he will perform the new material in full alongside songs from his debut Life Thru a Lens.
Williams revealed the project will feature an array of high-profile collaborators. Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi appears on the lead single Rocket, while Coldplay’s Chris Martin and Supergrass frontman Gaz Coombes also contribute.
His former Take That bandmate Gary Barlow co-wrote a new track titled Morrissey, inspired by an alleged stalker of The Smiths frontman.
Speaking to NME in May, the 50-year-old said the record marks a shift back to guitar-driven music. “I just wanted to do something that I like,” he explained. “I was playing it safe for too long, second-guessing myself. This time I wanted my hands back on the wheel.”
Williams also spoke about his admiration for punk duo Soft Play, saying they appealed to the “14-year-old version” of himself who wanted to “rage hard, be cool, shout, be aggressive in a kind way”.
Britpop will be Williams’ 13th solo studio album when it finally arrives in February.
