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[ThePensmith]

Robbie Williams is back and this time he's returned with a bunch of famous friends.Swings Both Ways is the tenth studio album from the former Take That-er and the follow-up to his well-received 2001 swing album, Swing When You're Winning - also his best selling album ever. The new album sees Robbie reunited with Guy Chambers, with whom he wrote six new songs and who produced the album.

Robbie said today: 'First of all, I wanted to do a Swing album because I wanted to do a Swing album. I always knew I’d do another and I think now is the perfect time to do it. I’m enjoying showbiz and I’m enjoying my life and my understanding of where I am now is that there needs to be an event every time I bring out a record. The album this time is a definite ode and a loving glance towards a period on the planet that I was never invited to ‘coz I wasn’t there….I wanted to be, which I feel still very strongly linked to.'

He continued: 'Going in I planned it to be very similar to the last one, and then I realised – that’s actually not what I wanted. It’s different – it’s not all covers. I had some songs that I wanted the world to hear and check out and maybe become part of the fabric of their lives, if I’m lucky enough, that I’ve had a hand in writing. So it’s very, very similar to the last one, and very different – and hopefully I’m off to romance the world!'

Along with the new material is a selection of classic songs covered as duets with some big names. Olly Murs duets on 'I Wan'ana Be Like You', while Kelly Clarkson appears on 'Little Green Apples' and Lily Allen joins Robbie for 'Dream a Little Dream'. Talking about her involvement on the new album, Lily Allen said: ' 'Dream a Little Dream' is one of my favourite songs of all time so I didn’t hesitate when Robbie asked me if I’d like to duet with him on it. I was a bit nervous when we recorded it, especially when I asked him what he wanted me to do and he said something like ‘just be you’. But I’m really happy with it and think we do justice to a classic song.'

Brand new tracks include 'Soda Pop', which features Michael Bublé, and 'Swings Both Ways', written and performed with Rufus Wainwright. Of the title track which he co-wrote and performs on, Rufus Wainwright says: 'Working with Robbie is a dream come true. I’m once again the envy of both sexes. Robbie is the real deal, full package, a total mensch and if I could come up with any more paired descriptive sayings I would use them as well.'

Olly Murs, who has just toured with Robbie, says: 'I absolutely loved working with Rob on this album. After touring Europe with him this year it seemed only right that we record something together, and 'I Wan’na Be Like You' is such a classic sing-a-long tune. It’s always brilliant when you get to work with your mates!'

1. 'Shine My Shoes' (new song)
2. 'Go Gentle' (new song)
3. 'I Wanna Be Like You' ft. Olly Murs
4. 'Swing Supreme'
5. 'Swings Both Ways' ft. Rufus Wainwright
6. 'Dream A Little Dream' ft. Lily Allen
7. 'Soda Pop' ft. Michael Bublé (new song)
8. 'Snowblind' (new song)
9. 'Puttin' On The Ritz'
10. 'Little Green Apples' ft. Kelly Clarkson
11. 'Minnie The Moocher'
12. 'If I Only Had A Brain'
13. 'No One Likes A Fat Pop Star' (new song)

So excited for this and particularly to hear the Olly and Lily collaborations!

This post has been edited by ThePensmith: Sep 11 2013, 11:36 PM