It's a fine line between moppetesque dittiness and artistic credibility, between being known as a magpie and as an innovative entertainer, but it's a fine line Robbie Williams seems well able to deal with.
This first single from new album Escapology is a glorious piece of middle-of-the-road, inoffensive pop, with a shuffling beat and big, gutsy vocals giving life to lyrics about wanting "real love".
His vocals have if anything improved, for he can belt out the choruses and make the quieter verses sound sinister and intriguing. He's helped along by sterling songwriting, once again courtesy of Guy Chambers. The new, mature Robbie is set to make even more heads turn.
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