Rudebox was released in October 2006 as Robbie Williams’ seventh studio album. The record represented a marked stylistic departure, embracing dance, electro and hip hop influences in contrast to the guitar led pop rock of his earlier releases.
Williams worked extensively with producer Stephen Duffy and the Soul Mekanik production team, with sessions taking place in London and elsewhere. The title track, Rudebox, built around a sample of Manu Chao’s Bongo Bong, was issued as the lead single and signalled the album’s club oriented direction.
Musically, Rudebox incorporates electronic beats, rap inflections and synth driven arrangements. The project divided critical opinion on release, with some commentators noting its experimental approach and others questioning the shift in style.
I wanted to do something different.Robbie Williams
The album debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart. While its reception was mixed, Rudebox remains one of the most stylistically distinct releases in Williams’ catalogue, reflecting a deliberate move away from his established mainstream sound.
