Gary Barlow & Robbie Williams To Release Dueling Albums, Take That Hitting The Studio In January

Robbie Daw | September 20, 2013 8:22 am

It’s been nearly three years since British boy-band-turned-pop-gods Take That released their last studio album Progress (it was followed in 2011 by EP Progressed), and now there’s official word that the gents will be hitting the studio in January to begin recording their follow-up LP.

As for whether or not sometimes-member Robbie Williams will be a part of Take That this time around, Gary Barlow, who’s currently partaking in his third season as a judge on the UK version of The X Factor, had this to say to the Daily Mirror: “If Rob’s around he’ll be with us, if not it’ll be a four. It can go either way. It keeps us guessing as well. I think it’ll probably be a four. It’ll be next year — definitely.”

Meanwhile, Robbie hasn’t wasted any time since Take That’s last album. Last fall he released his ninth studio LP, Take The Crown, and he’ll follow that up on November 18 with Swings Both Ways, which features a combination of covers, six original songs and duets with Kelly Clarkson, Olly Murs, Rufus Wainwright, Michael Buble and Lily Allen.

Not to be outdone, Gary Barlow announced his own yet-to-be-titled album this week, to be released on November 25. It’ll be his first material outside of Take That since last year’s celebratory Diamond Jubilee single “Sing,” and his first solo album since 1999’s Twelve Months, Eleven Days.

Nothing like a little friendly rivalry during the busy holiday season to get fans plunking down their cash.