So it has just been announced that Robbie has decided to release the new album today (it was previously meant to be Feb, having previously been Oct last year!?!)

Do we think he can claim his 16th UK No1 album and get that record he so wants? I massively hope so, the album is really good (but I’m biased as a massive Robbie fan). I hope he is on the promo trail- I know he’s done R2 but will need some TV etc too maybe?

well he’s got hardly any competition so I’d be amazed if he’s not number one

J Cole recently announced his album to be coming out on 7/2 so I guess that’s why Robbie’s brought his release forward (though I’d have thought he’d beat Cole anyway)

I don’t think the physicals are out until 6th Feb still, so I doubt it will get to #1 before then.

Out of interest, What is the value in releasing streaming separately to the physicals? Surely you do all at once for maximum impact?? Or have I missed something?

I assumed that reading the headline of this thread that they would dispatch the physicals early. That said, I have looked on iTunes and it still has a February date.

This is a very strange decision if he's not bringing the physicals forward too. I can't see him getting to #1 on streaming alone so what's the point?

He won't get to No.1 this week based on streaming alone, I expect even top 10 will be a struggle.

I'm sure he's probably still the favourite to go to No.1 the week the CD is out, like Better Man, as it doesn't look like a hugely competitive week currently.

My physicals bundle is being shipped today- just had an email… so maybe he is doing both after all?

10 minutes ago, av80 said:

My physicals bundle is being shipped today- just had an email… so maybe he is doing both after all?

This would make a lot more sense.

His team would be wise enough to know that his audience is not likely to be very streaming heavy.

The mess - first pushed back 4 months now released early

5 minutes ago, ___∆___ said:

The mess - first pushed back 4 months now released early

It looks like a mess, but at the same time it is probably quite strategic. Robbie is still very popular, so maybe they realise they already have enough physical product already pre-ordered to take on Olivia.

If it was meant to be released 4 months ago, then the stock must have already been ready, and I assume they were already taking pre-orders.

 

Also just spotted that the standard edition has been released on iTunes, but not the deluxe edition. It would be interesting to know why.

Edit: and just checked and the situation is exactly the same on Spotify.

3 minutes ago, GreyAsh said:

It looks like a mess, but at the same time it is probably quite strategic. Robbie is still very popular, so maybe they realise they already have enough physical product already pre-ordered to take on Olivia.

If it was meant to be released 4 months ago, then the stock must have already been ready, and I assume they were already taking pre-orders.

It's a bit of a strange one. The Better Man soundtrack got to #1 with 43,238 sales, so I expect this to be at least 60k+ and would be #1 any week other than Taylor's first. So I don't think it was just a case of pushing it back 4 months to avoid her or Olivia.

Definitely makes sense to capitalise on a quiet week if they had the physical release ready to go. Looking forward to seeing how this does. Sounding good on first listen and certainly tapping the britpop revival of late - in particular All My Life.

It all seems very strange is he expecting a huge suprise release in February, regardless hasn't he always been the huge week 1 then tumble down kind of artist anyway, (more so the last few releases)

2 minutes ago, 777666jason said:

It all seems very strange is he expecting a huge suprise release in February, regardless hasn't he always been the huge week 1 then tumble down kind of artist anyway, (more so the last few releases)

J Cole is now releasing on 6th Feb, but wouldn't be a challenge to Robbie in the UK.

Unless his sales suddenly fall off a cliff, he really isn't an artist who needs to purposefully pick a quiet week, he would be an easy #1 with a new studio album most weeks.

Yeah I agree, he would get number 1 most weeks so it is a bit odd to move it. Maybe all the Harry Styles hype has worried him?! Or maybe it is just a case of let’s get the album out? It’s very good imo so I hope it does well

29 minutes ago, av80 said:

Yeah I agree, he would get number 1 most weeks so it is a bit odd to move it. Maybe all the Harry Styles hype has worried him?! Or maybe it is just a case of let’s get the album out? It’s very good imo so I hope it does well

Harry doesn't release until March anyway.

I haven't been following this at all, so correct me if I'm wrong with what I'm going to write, of course.

Despite this is a mess (pushing back and bringing forward without a prior announcement and release that album) in all senses, I think that his team is doing this strategically to get his 16th UK #1. Robbie won't 'surprise release' an album without CDs and vinyl and if it's taken into consideration that they're already done, it's safe to say that they could ship them earlier. Also, someone mentioned that they received an email that their bundle was shipped today, so the aforementioned makes sense.

As a side note, I also think they're holding back the release of the deluxe edition to a later day. In case he needs 'extra sales' this week to secure the #1, they could rush release that edition to this week, if not they can release it on February 6.

3 minutes ago, Juan Carlos said:

I haven't been following this at all, so correct me if I'm wrong with what I'm going to write, of course.

Despite this is a mess (pushing back and bringing forward without a prior announcement and release that album) in all senses, I think that his team is doing this strategically to get his 16th UK #1. Robbie won't 'surprise release' an album without CDs and vinyl and if it's taken into consideration that they're already done, it's safe to say that they could ship them earlier. Also, someone mentioned that they received an email that their bundle was shipped today, so the aforementioned makes sense.

As a side note, I also think they're holding back the release of the deluxe edition to a later day. In case he needs 'extra sales' this week to secure the #1, they could rush release that edition to this week, if not they can release it on February 6.

He's the last artist who needs to strategically move his album to get #1 though - Taylor Swift debut week aside - he can pick his week, and it's more likely others will move for him.