You do remember Rob Thomas, right? He was the guy who sold a hundred million copies of his song ‘Smooth’ with Santana. It was state-sanctioned that you had to own it, because, in 1999, it was the best song to ever be recorded. You remember. You’d listen to ‘Smooth’ twenty-five times, or daisy-chain that and ‘Dance the Night Away’ by The Mavericks. Back and forth between the two, for hours. The guy that looks like a sexy bin man. ROB THOMAS! He’s got a new album coming out this month and the artwork is really working for him. 

Not the lettering, so much. I can see that he’s gone for the whole anti-design approach but it looks a bit Funkypigeon.com on account of Rob insisting that his name is a little bigger. All lowercase, though – a nice, modern touch that looks promising for a new album by RB THMS in a few years time. 

But let’s address Rob’s pose, which really plays to his strengths. If Rob was here right now he’d be smiling, I’m sure, and say something like, “is that what you call my arse?” (Rob loves his arse). I’d struggle to deny it.

It’s probably best if we gloss over the single hand on the back of Rob’s head. I mean, it’s smart – the way it shows off his friendship bracelets and somehow makes us think about Rob having his nob out – but I don’t like to think of Rob stood in a photographer’s studio like this, with the photographer saying, “that’s really nice, actually”.  

When Rob posted this sleeve online last month, Twitter lit up with over 118 comments. The fans are very much into it. “Welcome to the Hot Buns Club,” said @JPMusicLuvr, attaching Springsteen’s Born In The USA cover and a still from George Michael’s ‘Faith’; “Now that’s a tight booty!!” wrote @DeeluvsRob, whose whole feed is dedicated to Rob’s arse. Mostly though, people were losing their minds over the jacket and – literally – begging Rob to sell them at his shows (except for @nickVrusson, who commented: “Not a fan of the title or album cover, but at least we know the release date now” – c’mon Nick, play the game: this feed is for bum and jacket chat).

Rob would be a complete mug to not sell these jackets at his shows, not least because once he loads in at Dingwalls he’ll be able to sweep Camden market for them and, judging by the enthusiasm of @MaryAdams20 et al, mark them up by 500% to £25. By the time his fans are sick of explaining to ageing Rolling Stones fans that it’s a Rob Thomas jacket actually, he’ll be halfway up the M1 mooning cars on a dare.