"Progress" is the sixth studio album by the English band Take That, released on 15 November 2010. This album marked the reunion of the original five-piece lineup, with Robbie Williams returning to the band after his departure in 1995. It was also the final album to feature Jason Orange before his departure in 2014, making it the last album with the original formation of the group. The album was widely successful, receiving positive reviews for its incorporation of electronic music and synthesizers, and it became a commercial hit.
Progress debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, becoming the third fastest-selling album of the century and the fifth fastest-selling album of all time in the UK. Within just 24 days, it became the biggest-selling album of 2010, with over one million copies sold. By June 2011, the album had sold 2.4 million copies in the UK. In Continental Europe, it also performed strongly, charting within the top ten in twelve countries, and was certified three-times platinum by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry for shipments of three million copies across Europe. Additionally, a follow-up EP titled Progressed, featuring eight unreleased tracks, was released in June 2011.
Robbie Williams left Take That in July 1995, and the band disbanded shortly afterward. After their reunion in 2005 without Williams, the group went on to release The Circus in 2008. In 2010, after re-establishing contact with Williams in 2006, he met with Gary Barlow and the rest of the band. In a BBC Radio 1 interview, Williams described the meeting as emotionally significant, where both he and Barlow apologized to each other, which helped pave the way for his return.
Recording for Progress began in September 2009 at Electric Lady Studios following the band's The Circus Live tour. Some of the songs, such as "Eight Letters," were based on lyrics and melodies written before the sessions began. Barlow produced backing tracks for songs like "SOS," "Pretty Things," and "Happy Now" for the band to work with. The band's reunion was kept a secret until their appearance at the Children in Need Rocks the Royal Albert Hall on 12 November 2009, where Williams joined the band on stage for the first time since 1995, although they didn't perform any of their new material at that time.
After some initial hesitation, Williams officially rejoined the band, and they continued working as a five-piece. The recording took place at various studios, including The Village in January 2010, where they recorded "Happy Now," "Kidz," and "Eight Letters." In February, they moved to Real World Studios and recorded "Pretty Things." The sessions were interrupted when Mark Owen admitted to having multiple affairs and an alcohol problem, which led him to enter rehab. After returning to the studio in April, Owen contributed to the song "What Do You Want from Me?," which was inspired by his experiences. The band moved to The Record Plant in Los Angeles in May, and orchestral overdubs were recorded at Abbey Road Studios in June.
On 15 July 2010, it was officially announced that Robbie Williams was rejoining Take That. The band issued a joint statement confirming that they had written and recorded a new album together. The announcement created significant media buzz, with newspapers confirming that the band had been recording as a five-piece and that the new album would be released later in the year.
The release of Progress coincided with the band's 20th anniversary and marked 15 years since the release of Nobody Else, the last album they recorded as a five-piece. The album cover was photographed by Nadav Kander, who had previously shot images of Barack Obama, and it was designed to resemble the famous "ape-to-man" progression, which was widely praised.
Initially, the album was set to be released on 22 November 2010, but it was brought forward to 15 November due to "massive pre-orders" and strong airplay for the lead single. This marked the first time the band had seen such a high level of anticipation for an album release.
