Former X Factor star Olly Murs has sent his fanbase into a frenzy with the unexpected release of his eighth studio album, a ska-inspired collection that features some truly unconventional lyrics about supermarket fruit.
The Great Fan Divide
The 41-year-old singer released his new album 'Knees Up' on November 21st, marking a dramatic departure from his previous pop sound. The 12-track record has created a clear split among his loyal followers, with some embracing the change while others express bewilderment at his new musical direction.
Social media platforms, particularly TikTok, have become battlegrounds for fan opinions. Some listeners have compared Murs' new work favourably to British ska legends Madness, claiming it's the most authentic representation of his personality yet. However, less enthusiastic fans have drawn parallels to Robbie Williams' controversial 2006 album 'Rudebox', which similarly divided critics and audiences upon its release.
Tesco's Mangoes Take Centre Stage
One particular lyric from the album's eighth track, 'Yesterday's News', has captured significant attention. The line 'Some said I'd be spotted nude / In Tesco's by the mangoes in an old pair of shoes' has become a talking point across social media platforms.
TikTok user scott.sl questioned Murs' pronunciation, commenting: 'No Olly you need stopped, what is with these weird accents helpppp "in Tescos by the mangooooss".' Meanwhile, Jordan Rawling joked about the lyrical content, asking: 'Olly Murs or Shakespeare?'
User fatpheebs expressed initial disbelief about the album's genre shift, stating: 'Genuinely thought I'd dreamt that Olly Murs had attempted Ska for his new album so imagine my shock when I woke up to find out that is 1000000% true.'
From Retirement Scare to Creative Freedom
The album release was nearly overshadowed by what appeared to be a retirement announcement from the singer. Murs initially told fans on social media: 'Murs army, morning! Yes album eight is out – Knees Up. The end, the last one, 15 years of hard graft comes down to this.'
He continued with what seemed like a farewell: 'I hope you guys enjoy the last ever Murs album. I've loved every minute of it. Time for me to hang the mic up. Last show is December 8th.'
However, during an interview with Hits Radio, Murs clarified that this was merely a joke that had been taken out of context. 'For the millions of people that are watching this, you're going to be disappointed that I'm not retiring,' he confirmed.
The singer, who recently became a father to two children, revealed to Metro that this album represents a new chapter he's calling 'Olly 2.0'. He explained that for the first time in his 15-year career, he's creating music he genuinely wants to make rather than what he thinks audiences expect from him.
'This new era of Olly 2.0 is the first time in my career I've done an album that I wanted to do, not the album I think people want me to do,' Murs stated. The artist, who has secured five UK number one albums, acknowledged his earlier 'squeaky clean' image but now describes himself as 'a bit rough around the edges'.
Despite the mixed reactions, many fans have embraced Murs' new direction. User meghanmacmanus defended the unconventional lyrics, saying: 'Olly could write romeo and juliet but shakespeare could never write this masterpiece.' Meanwhile, stxceylouise expressed excitement about the live performances: 'Obsessed already?? This album is SO you, gonna be a vibe hearing it live.'
The album 'Knees Up' represents a significant artistic risk for the established pop star, demonstrating his willingness to experiment with new sounds and lyrical themes, even if that means singing about tropical fruit in British supermarkets.
