Paul Weller, the former frontman of The Jam, is set to release his 17th solo album, ’66’, on May 24, the day before his 66th birthday. The album was recorded over the course of three years and will see the musician delve into topics such as faith, changing circumstances, and the fractured realities of life in this turbulent age. Some of the songs on the album include features from Madness frontman, Suggs, Bobby Gillespie, and Noel Gallagher. The two singles released ahead of the album, ‘Soul Wandering’ and ‘Rise Up Singing,’ showcase the range of Weller’s experimental style.
Reflecting on his current position in life, Weller stated in an interview with Record Collector, “I don’t want to keep going on about my age but one thing that is very nice about getting older is that you can experiment. The older I get, the more open-minded I get.” This inclination to experimentation is clear in his new album where he recorded individual tracks over the course of three years without a clear vision of the end result.
In addition to the new album, Weller has announced his first North American tour in seven years, which will run from September 6 to September 27. The tour, which will begin in Red Bank, New Jersey and wrap up at Los Angeles’ Orpheum Theatre, will see him play 15 dates in total. Despite his success, Weller recognizes the impact that his predecessors have had on the music industry. In fact, he recently stated that he believes the Beatles broke up at the right time.
Overall, Paul Weller’s upcoming album and tour signify his continued influence and relevance in the music industry. It is through his willingness to experiment and collaborate with new artists that he remains an enduring and beloved icon
Read the full article on NME here: Read More