They say age ain’t nothing but a number. They’re wrong. It’s also an album title — if you’re Paul Weller. The Modfather’s upcoming full-length 66 is named for his next birthday. I’d say that makes me feel old, but I’d be lying — I already feel plenty old. And I’m younger than Weller. Not that you could tell from Soul Wandering, the first single from the album. Even though he’s been at this game for decades, PW still sounds pretty spry to me. Anyway, check out the official press release below, followed by a list of all the other new albums announced today. Of course, if you want more of that sort of action, head over to the Upcoming Releases page to see more than 1,000 new titles on the way. Seriously.
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “In the ever-evolving landscape of contemporary music, few artists possess the enduring influence and innovative spirit of Paul Weller. A recording career that began in 1977 now takes in the release of his 17th solo album and his 28th in total. Weller has always demonstrated an unwavering commitment to pushing artistic boundaries while staying true to his roots. 66 promises to be no exception, offering a captivating journey through his continuing musical evolution.
As the title and artwork by Sir Peter Blake (his first for Weller since 1995’s Stanley Road) indicates, Weller’s new album marks the completion of his 66th journey around the sun and is released on May 24th — the day before his 66th birthday. 66 is quite a reflective and inward-thinking album that pulls back the camera lens and shines a light on the way Weller’s creativity interacts with his wider world. Continually finding new ways to alchemise the miracle of living and the meaning of it all, he draws on fragments of real life, ruminations on spirituality and even childhood memories. There are songs touching on faith, changing circumstances and the fractured realities of life in this turbulent age. But 66 is positive at heart, bursting with the wisdom and perspective accrued by the business of someone who has really lived and loved.
The 12 songs on 66 were worked up in Weller’s Black Barn studio over the course of three years with a host of guest musicians. In the recent past, Paul has been an enthusiastic collaborator, but 66 feels like the most fully-realised celebration of that process. Here, there are lyrical contributions from an esteemed roll-call including Suggs, Noel Gallagher and Bobby Gillespie (Ship Of Fools, Jumble Queen and Soul Wandering respectively). 66 also sees the co-writing return of Erland Cooper and duo White Label, and string arrangements from Hannah Peel. Additionally, there are two collaborations with French producer and recording artist Christophe Vaillant (Le Superhomard) while acclaimed Brooklyn trio Say She She add vocals to In Full Flight. Peppered throughout the album are turns from an array of old friends including Dr Robert, Richard Hawley, Steve Brooks and Max Beesley.
66 is set to be a landmark addition to Paul Weller’s illustrious discography, further solidifying his status as one of the defining artists of his or any other generation.
66 Tracklisting:
Ship of Fools
Flying Fish
Jumble Queen
Nothing
My Best Friend’s Coat
Rise Up Singing
I Woke Up
A Glimpse of You
Sleepy Hollow
In Full Flight
Soul Wandering
Burn Out
JUST ADDED
March 1
The Lightning Kids | FM Instrumentals
March 8
Jochem Hamerling & Jaap Ligthart | Slope
Drew Schlesinger | Lost Childhood Vol. 2
March 15
Soul Sugar | Just A Little Talk
White Ring | Angel 13 Volume 1
March 22
Keygen Church | Nel Nome Del Codice
Corey Madden | Taste The Hour
Men of North Country | I Can Feel It Single
Robert Mitchell | A Study (In The Key Of Now)
Sadistic Ritual | Wormwitch
Triad | Triad
March 29
Sean Fyfe Quartet | Stepping Stones
Jaguar Sun | For You
Nova Pon & Turning Point Ensemble | Symphonies Of Mother & Child
Omar Souleyman | Erbil
April 5
Reinier Baas | Relief Party
Andrew CS | Caught In Pointers
Destroyer of Light | Degradation Years
Medium Build | Country
Rose Noir | Beat Tape 01
Mike Post | Message from the Mountains & Echoes of the Delta
Stars Hollow | In The Flower Bed
April 12
Nicolas Cueille | Curiositi
Elsa Hewitt | Chaos Emeralds
Linkin Park | Papercuts (Singles Collection 2000-2023)
Moon’s Voyager | Surrender EP
April 19
Folterkammer | Weibermacht
Bill Frisell | Orchestras
Half Past Two | Talk Is Killing Me
The Jazz Defenders | Memory in Motion
Will Laut | Will Laut EP
May 3
Daytime TV | Island
Grayson Jenkins | Live from Elkhorn Creek
Jasmine Myra | Rising
Skylarks | The Number One Set And Sound
May 10
A.B. Cook | Britpop
Bear McCreary | The Singularity
Take Offense | T.O.tality
May 24
Travis Denning | Roads That Go Nowhere
Jimmy Eat World | Clarity: Phoenix Sessions
Paul Weller | 66
May 31
Lowlives | Freaking Out
Shrapnel | In Gravity
June 7
Loverboy | Live In ‘82
June 14
James Vincent McMorrow | Wide Open, Horses
June 21
Alcest | Les Chants De L’Aurore
