Robbie Williams is hoping to win back his crown as Britain's biggest pop star with a new album in November.

Robbie Williams希望可以借11月份发行的新专辑夺回英国最大歌星的皇冠。

Robbie Williams' last album, Rudebox, went to number one in 2006

Reality Killed The Video Star will be his first release since 2006's Rudebox, which met with a tepid¹（微温的） reception from fans and critics.

Williams described the new record as "a killer²". He said listeners would hear "old Robbie, new Robbie and a Robbie that neither of us have met".

The first single from the album, Bodies, will be released on 11 October.

Writing on his blog, Williams revealed he had rewritten one of his new songs in tribute（颂词，称赞） to Michael Jackson.

"[I] couldn't get a lyric³ to fit on one of the new songs. When he passed away I rewrote it with him in mind," he said.

The star added that he had enlisted⁴ the help of lyricist Don Black, who co-wrote one of Jackson's earliest solo hits, Ben, as well as the Bond themes Thunderball and Diamonds Are Forever.

"I was having a tough time with lyrics⁵ for a little while," he wrote. "Nothing would come out.

"Don Black kindly⁶ came in and gave me a helping⁷ hand. He's the nicest legend I've ever met. I love him."

Low profile

Talking about the new album, Williams said: "I really hope it's as good as I think it is. We'll see. I'm sure you'll let me know."

A video on Williams' official website contains instrumental snippets（小片） from some of his new songs.

They showcase（陈列柜） a dramatic electro-pop sound underscored by lavish⁸（大方的，丰富的） orchestral（管弦乐的） strings⁹ - not dissimilar to Trevor Horn's previous work on the Pet Shop Boys' Left To My Own Devices.

The whole album was produced by Horn, who has crafted hits for Frankie Goes To Hollywood, ABC and Seal.

Rudebox went to number one when it was released in October 2006, but is his lowest-selling solo album to date.

However, record label EMI said that, in that same year, he sold 1.6 million tickets in one day for his tour and went on to play to a total of 3.7 million people.

Three years earlier, his three nights at Knebworth saw him play to over 365,000 people.

Williams has largely kept a low profile since, living in Los Angeles with girlfriend Ayda Field.

Explaining his absence, he recently said: "I thought after the last album came out, things seem to be on the turn, perception wise.

"So I decided¹⁰ to try and stay out of the proverbial（谚语的，如同谚语的） limelight（灰光灯） for a while. And God knows I've found the old big head routine to be running a bit thin, so I don't blame anybody else feeling the same way.

"As an old manager used to say to me, 'you lads need to go away and cause a vacuum'. I've been vacuuming... and it coincided with me finding someone very special."

In fact, the star concentrated so hard on staying out of the limelight, even the US press noticed.