The Upcoming
  • Culture
    • Art
    • Cinema
      • Movie reviews
      • Film festivals
    • Food & Drinks
      • News & Features
      • Restaurant & bar reviews
      • Interviews & Recipes
    • Literature
    • Music
      • Live music
    • Theatre
    • Shows & On demand
  • Fashion & Lifestyle
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • News & Features
    • Shopping & Trends
    • Tips & How-tos
    • Fashion weeks
  • What’s On
    • Art exhibitions
    • Theatre shows
  • Tickets
  • Join us
    • Editorial unit
    • Our writers
    • Join the team
    • Join the mailing list
    • Support us
    • Contact us
  • Interviews
  • Competitions
  • Special events
    • Film festivals
      • Berlin
      • Tribeca
      • Sundance London
      • Cannes
      • Locarno
      • Venice
      • London
      • Toronto
    • Fashion weeks
      • London Fashion Week
      • New York Fashion Week
      • Milan Fashion Week
      • Paris Fashion Week
      • Haute Couture
      • London Fashion Week Men’s
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • Instagram

  • YouTube

  • RSS

CultureMusicAlbum reviews

Paul McCartney – New

Paul McCartney – New | Album review
9 November 2013
Jack Hill
Avatar
Jack Hill
9 November 2013

To say that the world is in need of another Paul McCartney album would be a lie. However, with the magnificent success of David Bowie’s comeback seemingly giving the OK for old rockers to re-establish themselves within the current market, perhaps the release of Macca’s 17th studio album (24th including The Beatles and Wings) New will fall on more welcoming ears. In fact, the album itself is far greater than one might expect from someone who essentially has nothing left to prove.

Opening track Save Us is an interesting choice to start an album of mostly contemporary tunes. It comes across as a frantic blast of 80s pop that would be better suited to Bonnie Tyler than an aging Beatle, but it’s enjoyable nonetheless. Queenie Eye and title track New stand out as the two most effective pop tunes. They’ll appeal generously to music lovers old and new and will undoubtedly become festival favourites, thanks to their catchy sing-a-long choruses.

McCartney really finds his stride with the acoustic ballad Early Days, a song reflecting on his time with John Lennon and co. Wonderfully accompanied by Hosanna, it’s funny to think that with all the production work going into this album, McCartney is still at his best alone with a guitar. His voice is much less affected on these tracks, creaking and wobbling at just the right moments (bringing to mind Johnny Cash on his American anthology), making for a very comfortable listen.

With McCartney’s ability to write great pop music still intact, it’s a shame to mention the album’s downfalls, which unfortunately dampen the entire record. On My Way to Work, for instance, is a clumsy jaunt with McCartney sounding tired and frail, while the absurdly synthetic R’n’B tunes Appreciate and Looking at Her make Sir Paul look like he’s trying desperately to “get down” with what’s in.

New doesn’t really cover any uncharted ground but maintains itself as a delightful romp with a familiar voice. It will by no means set the world alight but it’s better than anything other current pop artists are delivering.

Jack Hill

New was released on 14th October 2013. For further information or to order the album visit Paul McCartney’s website here.

Watch the video for Queenie Eye here:

Related Itemsreview

More in Album reviews

Jeremiah Fraites: Piano Piano

★★★★★
Catherine Sedgwick
Read More

Lonely the Brave – The Hope List

★★★★★
Emma-Jane Betts
Read More

Sleaford Mods – Spare Ribs

★★★★★
Mark Worgan
Read More

You Me at Six – Suckapunch

★★★★★
Mark Worgan
Read More

Pearl Charles – Magic Mirror

★★★★★
Mae Trumata
Read More

Passenger – Songs for the Drunk and Broken Hearted

★★★★★
Georgie Cowan-Turner
Read More

Taylor Swift – Evermore

★★★★★
Bev Lung
Read More

The best festive albums not to miss this Christmas

Georgie Cowan-Turner
Read More

Yungblud – Weird!

★★★★★
Regan Harle
Read More
Scroll for more
Tap
  • Popular

  • Latest

  • TOP PICKS

  • Outside the Wire
    ★★★★★
    Cinema
  • You Me at Six – Suckapunch
    ★★★★★
    Album review
  • The Queen’s Gambit: A chess story that’s not about the moves but the motives
    ★★★★★
    Cinema
  • An interview with Ifrah Ismael: Tales from the Front Line and other stories
    Theatre
  • Sleaford Mods – Spare Ribs
    ★★★★★
    Album review
  • Female filmmakers lead nominees for the London Critics’ Circle Film Awards
    Cinema
  • Persian Lessons: Exclusive new clip
    Cinema
  • Jeremiah Fraites: Piano Piano
    ★★★★★
    Album review
  • Quo Vadis, Aida?
    ★★★★★
    Cinema
  • Lonely the Brave – The Hope List
    ★★★★★
    Album review
  • WandaVision: Marvel’s charming sitcom proves an astounding success
    ★★★★★
    Cinema
  • The Queen’s Gambit: A chess story that’s not about the moves but the motives
    ★★★★★
    Cinema
  • Undercover at Morpheus Show Online
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Ten short literary collections to get you back into reading
    Literature
  • Mayor
    ★★★★★
    Cinema
The Upcoming
Pages
  • Contact us
  • Join mailing list
  • Join us
  • Our London food map
  • Our writers
  • Support us
  • What, when, why

Copyright © 2011-2020 FL Media

Kurobuta in Chelsea | Restaurant review
Brancott Wines and Rebecca Seal host Taste Explorers