Is there still space for Take That in 2023? It’s been more than three decades since the release of their debut album, and almost two since their comeback, while their core appeal has been diluted by the sorts of comings and goings that affect most legacy acts. Robbie Williams rejoined, and then left again, and since the departure of Jason Orange in 2014 the group has become a trio. But ‘This Life’, their first album of new material in six years, shows beyond all else that they still know their audience.
If you grew up on a diet of Everything Changes and Never Forget, and later Greatest Day and Rule the World, you’re unlikely to be disappointed with this collection of uplifting guitar and piano-driven pop-rock tracks full of dreamy melodies.
The album’s come out at just the right time to get familiar with before Christmas, too. It’s unlikely to offend the relatives if you’re in charge of the music selection this year.
Days I Hate Myself is borderline art-pop — a sort of sanitised Everything Everything fit for Capital Radio —while Brand New Sun is cheerful, driving pop-rock in the vein of Texas.
The Champion has one of Take That’s catchiest hooks this side of Shine, while opener Keep Your Head Up, which shuns uplifting guitar for melancholic piano, has a beautiful quality to it.
Mind Full of Madness, meanwhile, is probably the highlight. Recalling Eye of the Tiger for a moment, it’s the sort of anthemic pop-rock that could certainly hold its own in a stadium, with so much energy and life you might think it was performed by a band half their age.
Take That might not be the coolest act around right now – and that’s not a slight on them – but even those who might not consider themselves fans could be pleasantly surprised by ‘This Life’. Sure, it’s inoffensive, but it’s seldom boring.
Take That Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Sat April 13 2024 - SHEFFIELD Utilita Arena
Sun April 14 2024 - SHEFFIELD Utilita Arena
Wed April 17 2024 - LEEDS first direct Arena
Thu April 18 2024 - LEEDS first direct Arena
Fri April 19 2024 - LEEDS first direct Arena
Sat April 20 2024 - LEEDS first direct Arena
Mon April 22 2024 - DUBLIN 3Arena
Tue April 23 2024 - DUBLIN 3Arena
Thu April 25 2024 - LONDON O2 Arena
Fri April 26 2024 - LONDON O2 Arena
Sat April 27 2024 - LONDON O2 Arena
Sun April 28 2024 - LONDON O2 Arena
Tue April 30 2024 - LONDON O2 Arena
Wed May 01 2024 - LONDON O2 Arena
Fri May 03 2024 - GLASGOW OVO Hydro
Sat May 04 2024 - GLASGOW OVO Hydro
Sun May 05 2024 - GLASGOW OVO Hydro
Tue May 07 2024 - MANCHESTER Co Op Live
Wed May 08 2024 - MANCHESTER Co Op Live
Fri May 10 2024 - MANCHESTER Co Op Live
Sat May 11 2024 - MANCHESTER Co Op Live
Sun May 12 2024 - MANCHESTER Co Op Live
Tue May 14 2024 - BIRMINGHAM Utilita Arena
Wed May 15 2024 - BIRMINGHAM Utilita Arena
Fri May 17 2024 - BIRMINGHAM Utilita Arena
Sat May 18 2024 - BIRMINGHAM Utilita Arena
Sun May 19 2024 - BIRMINGHAM Utilita Arena
Mon May 20 2024 - BIRMINGHAM Utilita Arena
Fri May 24 2024 - MIDDLESBROUGH Riverside Stadium
Sat May 25 2024 - NOTTINGHAM City Ground
Sun May 26 2024 - NOTTINGHAM City Ground
Tue May 28 2024 - NORWICH Carrow Road Stadium
Thu May 30 2024 - MILTON KEYNES Stadium MK
Sat June 01 2024 - SOUTHAMPTON St Marys Stadium
Sun June 02 2024 - SOUTHAMPTON St Marys Stadium
Tue June 04 2024 - PLYMOUTH Home Park Stadium
Thu June 06 2024 - SWANSEA Swansea.com Stadium
Sat June 08 2024 - BRISTOL Ashton Gate Stadium
Sun June 09 2024 - BRISTOL Ashton Gate Stadium
Tue June 11 2024 - MANCHESTER Co Op Live
Wed June 12 2024 - MANCHESTER Co Op Live
Thu June 20 2024 - CORK Musgrave Park
Fri June 21 2024 - DUBLIN Malahide Castle
Sat June 22 2024 - BELFAST Ormeau Park
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