Take That - These Days

Pre-order the single These Days here
Pre-order the album III here

The That are back! Five begat four which begat five again for a while and now three. Whilst there's a pervading national mourning for the loss of Jason Orange from the band we should remember that - like Robbie before him - he was an innate part of the group and certainly was a big part of making them who they are today. The remaining three, however, are excellent custodians of the Take That legacy - in case there was any doubt their first single as a trio, These Days, is a stunning return. A throwback to the halcyon pop days of the 90s (you know, before their halcyon sophisticated pop days of the 00s!) it sparkles and effervesces from the first notes with bold booming percussion alongside a vibrant, energetic guitar section. Sumptuous, resonant piano chords abound as the boys sing about celebrating the moments that make life worth while with a euphoric enthusiasm that's utterly too hard to resist. The sounds all coalesce with stirring hope & optimism in the chorus that just refuses to be contained by your puny earth speakers and flies free into the ether, consuming your entire being. It's certainly not as avant garde as The Flood or the sound perfected on Progress(ed) but that doesn't make it any less exhilarating. Multiple hooks work their way into your brain and radiate joy as satisfying as any endorphin rush. It's a grand return alright and one that has me more than excited for the new album...

Top 5 Take That singles to date...

• 05 ~ Pray: The single that launched album two is a shimmering, evocative, sophisticated pop classic - and one that (like so many other TT songs) has effortlessly endured the test of time. Beautifully written pop song with a melody that most acts would kill for. Delicious (and oh, that video? Heaven)...
• 04 ~ Shine: This always felt like the unofficial sequel to Mark's own Believe In The Boogie, a rollicking uplifting track for the nu-That to get their teeth into. Mark's vocals are exuberantly gleeful and the whole tune is literal pop perfection to be studied and envied. (Also of note - Up All Night which, along with BITB & Shine, makes up the most delightful pop trifecta)...
• 03 ~ Back For Good: If there is a template for boy band ballads, then Back For Good is surely it. Seemingly simplistic in it's construction, it masks a heartfelt classic that should soundtrack every teenage break up, every relationship woe beyond that. Soothes and heals in equal measure...
• 02 ~ Never Forget: There is still something quite thrilling about Never Forget - the children's choir, the euphoric sentiments, the rousing instrumentation, the fact that it felt so unlike anything Take That had done before yet still was indelibly Take That. It of course (like Spice Girls' Viva Forever a few years later) came at just the right time to herald the closing of an era with Robbie leaving. Regardless of the context, it's one of the most celebratory, innovative songs ever.
• 01 ~ Rule The World: It could be the "anything is possible together" message of the song, the lovely romantic sentiments contained within. It could be that I am so smitten with the movie it is taken from (Stardust) that it adds a little magic to the tune. It could be that the gentle remake for the 2012 Olympics breathed new life into the song for me. Or it could be that this is just solid song craftsmanship that demonstrates how very talented TT are. Just lovely.

(Note - choosing just 5 singles from the band was exquisite torture)!