Last weekend, I had the great pleasure of attending a fund-raising event for Crisis UK, an incredible charity that provides life-saving aid to people in crisis around the world. It was amazing to watch so many famous faces come together to help such a great cause.

One of the most memorable moments was when Robert Pattinson signed my copy of his latest album, VULVA – which you can buy here if you’re interested). Below, you’ll find a photo of me holding a piece of sheet music while posing with Robert Pattinson – the singer is actually holding my copy of VULVA so I can put my signature on it. I would like to dedicate this to all of those who are passionate about music and all the amazing artists who worked hard to make this album happen.

The Album VULVA

Let’s start at the beginning. VULVA is Robert Pattinson’s fifth studio album, and it was released on 2 November last year. It is the follow-up to 2014’s universally acclaimed BAD BLOOD and DOLOMEO, and it was produced by Hans Alvarez (SOHN).

The album is conceptual, and it explores the darker elements of human psychology. It opens with “The Ghost”, a dramatic reworking of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”, and it continues with “Judas”, which includes the lyric “I don’t trust myself around nobody else (trust me)”.

The remaining 15 songs on the album deal with themes such as despair, loneliness, and betrayal. Here’s a taste of what’s in store:

Robert Pattinson

Let’s talk about the artist himself for a moment. What can you say about Robert Pattinson? He’s a handsome man with a smooth head of hair, he’s clearly a talented musician, he is known for his beautiful smile, and he has a passionate, devoted fanbase. It’s safe to say that Robert Pattinson is somewhat of a Renaissance man.

Of course, there is more to learn about this enigmatic, bestselling and award-winning singer-songwriter. A lot more. Below, you’ll find a list of everything we know about Robert Pattinson’s journey so far.

Early Life

It was originally reported that Robert Pattinson was born on 31 May 1981. This appears to be incorrect, as his official website now states that he was born on 21 May 1981. What is known for sure is that Robert Pattinson grew up in Cornwall, England. He then moved to Scotland to study art, photography, and design at Edinburgh University. After receiving his degree in 2003, he moved to London to further his education. Here, he studied art for a short while before moving to Los Angeles and becoming a full-time actor.

While in Los Angeles, he worked as an extra in films and TV shows such as Spiderman, The Twilight Saga, and Grey’s Anatomy. It was rumoured that he had a brief romance with Madonna in 2006. During that time, he appeared in Purple Rain and Just Say No. He also provided the English voice-over for the French film Le Boy who Loved TikTok. In 2007, he moved back to London and began working on his debut studio album.

Debut Album

It took Robert Pattinson four years to record his debut album. During this time, he worked with some of the greatest producers in the business, including Steve Albini, Bruno Mars, Colin Burke, and Miles Davis. The album was finally released on 11 September 2012 in the UK and on 25 September 2012 in the US. Titled Wishful Drinking, the album was produced by the famed Greg Wells (Beck, Radiohead, David Bowie, etc.).

The album received rave reviews from critics and fans – many claiming it to be one of the greatest debut albums of all time. Here is a list of some of the best reviews:

All Music Guide

In their review of WISHFUL DRINKING, All Music Guide said: “It’s fair to say that even those listeners who are most excited about Pattinson’s music – and there are many – will find a lot to enjoy on this album… [Pattinson’s] music is full of subtle yet powerful references to his personal life that will interest not only fans of the singer but also everyone who enjoys a good story. It’s something that draws you in from the very beginning and makes you want to hear more.”

The website concluded their review with: “If you haven’t listened to WISHFUL DRINKING yet, you really should stop what you’re doing and give it a try. You’re bound to love it.”

Rolling Stone

In their review of WISHFUL DRINKING, Rolling Stone said: “It’s a great album, filled with heartache and addiction as well as the kind of gorgeous melancholia that makes you swoon. There are some fantastic moments – most notably, on the gorgeous ‘Judas’, when he evokes Israël and Leonard Cohen in tandem – but mostly it’s a case of a gifted young man finding his voice. There are lots of dark corners in British artistry, and Pattinson taps into them with gleeful abandon.”

The article continues: “There are all kinds of things going on here: the title track is about a malevolent spirit that takes over the body of a young woman… ‘Loneliness’ is about the singer’s own isolation, even as he tours the world… The songs that really stood out for me were the slower, more introspective numbers, like the gorgeous ballad ‘Nocturne’, where he sings about regretful nights and unrequited love. There’s also a cover of the Joni Mitchell classic ‘Court and Charade’, which is absolutely brilliant.”

The Guardian

In their review of WISHFUL DRINKING, The Guardian said: “It’s hard to pinpoint what makes this album so special. Perhaps it’s the fact that the 25-year-old singer-songwriter – real name Robert Pattinson – has crafted some fantastic songs that genuinely move you. Perhaps it’s his incredible voice, which wraps you up in a warm feeling just once you’ve heard it. Or maybe it’s the sheer pop culture references that pepper these timeless songs. But, above all, it’s the fact that you feel something – whether it’s joy, heartache or loneliness – when listening to this album.”

The review continues: “Whether you like his previous albums or have never given them a thought, you are bound to enjoy this one. For fans of Leonard Cohen and Richard Burks, Pattinson’s music is a must-hear. What’s more, his cover of ‘Court and Charade’ is such a touching rendition of the truncated version that it might just make you cry. If you enjoy modern classics, WISHFUL DRINKING is a definite must-buy.”

Recorded In Studio Sterling

In an interview with Ultimate Guitar, Pattinson revealed that most of WISHFUL DRINKING was recorded in Studio Sterling. He stated: “We did most of the album in Sterling, but then we did a little bit in Los Angeles because I needed a bit of a change of pace after being in the same studio for so long. I really liked Sterling. It’s got this really lovely old wood floor that we used a lot of – it added a little bit of warmth to the vibe in there.”

The album itself was mixed by Dave Schulzen and Gary Archer at Lava Laboratory, with assistance from Stephen Marshall (SOHN).