The set includes “Windows” and is embedded with “that feeling of spreading your wings, letting out the old and bringing in the new,” says Howard Donald.
Take That
Take That welcomes fans to This Life, the British pop favorites’ ninth and latest studio album.
Arriving at the stroke of midnight, This Life represents the third incarnation of Take That, now recording and performing as the trio of Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen.
The new, 12-track set includes the first release “Windows,” and is embedded with “that feeling of spreading your wings, letting out the old and bringing in the new,” says Donald.
The sessions for This Life began early this year at Nashville’s historic RCA Studios A, with nine-time Grammy Award winner Dave Cobb behind the desk. Along the way, This Life evolved at studios in New York, Los Angeles, London and Barcelona, with additional production from Jennifer Decilveo (Hozier, Miley Cyrus).
“There’s a sense of togetherness with this record, whether that’s us coming back together as a band or people wanting connection in their own lives,” says Owen in a statement introducing the new collection.
Formed in 1989 as a five-piece — Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Mark Owen, Jason Orange and Robbie Williams — Take That was one of the most popular acts of its generation, certainly in the U.K., where few acts can challenge their chart superiority.
Former bandmate Williams embarked on a glittering solo career a quarter century ago, and is currently on tour in Australia. Orange announced his departure from Take That in September 2014.
This Life is the followup to 2017’s Wonderland, which peaked at No. 2 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart.
Until now, the group has racked up 12 U.K. No. 1 singles, and eight U.K. No. 1 albums, and a lengthy list of career highlights. The Brits had only one top 10 hit in the U.S., 1995’s “Back for Good,” which peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Cutting an LP of new material was about “that feeling of getting back together as a band, and heading back out into the world again,” explains Barlow.
Take That is also a proven box-office juggernaut. Their record-breaking 2011 Progress tour (for which Williams returned to the fold) sold over 1 million tickets in less than 24 hours; the following year the lads performed at the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics; and they hold the record for the most performances at London’s The O2, with 34 headline shows.
There are more concerts to come.
In 2024, Take That will embark on a tour in support of the new LP, spanning 41 dates across 15 cities in the U.K. and Ireland, with Olly Murs in support. Also, a run of pan-European outdoor dates, under the title This Life Under the Stars, are booked in June and July 2024.
Stream This Life below.
