NEW

AlbumJan 01 / 201312 songs, 46m 9s
Pop Rock Singer-Songwriter
Popular Highly Rated

Paul McCartney’s first album of original material in six years lives up to its *NEW* title. Recorded in part at London’s Abbey Road Studios and with a fleet of top-notch producers, from Mark Ronson (Amy Winehouse) and Paul Epworth (Adele) to Ethan Johns (Kings of Leon) and Giles Martin (son of Beatles producer Sir George Martin), *NEW* pulses with current energy and legendary talent. Coming after the sunset-feel of 2007’s *Memory Almost Full* and a 2012 album of traditional pop and jazz standards (*Kisses on the Bottom*), *NEW* isn\'t the sound of a 71-year-old rocker but of a vital musician hitting his spots. Aside from the Beatles history lesson of “Early Days,” McCartney focuses on a musical authority and melodic sensibility that’s timeless and up to date. A sense of psychedelia filters through tracks like “Save Us,” “Alligator,” “New,\" and “Everybody Out There,” along with a sense that he’s only getting started.

7.8 / 10

There isn’t a cut on Paul McCartney's 24th studio album*—*featuring production work from Mark Ronson and Paul Epworth—that doesn’t make a compelling argument for him continuing to produce music. New is an LP that pushes hard against the popular conception of what a Paul McCartney record is supposed to sound like.

D+

Paul McCartney released 23 studio records with The Beatles, seven with Wings, and now, with New, has dropped 24 solo LPs on his adoring public. With 50-odd years of recording and 50-odd albums under his belt, it’s hard to imagine that he could really have anything more to say. He’s told all his John Lennon stories,…

Ten years ago, new David Bowie albums were met with mild dread and disinterest; today, they are bona fide cultural events.

6 / 10

Still going strong at 71, Sir Paul turns in an enjoyable effort that breaks little new ground

8.5 / 10

When most people reach the tender age of 64, they step silently into retirement. Maybe invest in a vacation home. Take up gardening.

This month's album releases reviewed by the Evening Standard's music critics

Check out our album review of Artist's New on Rolling Stone.com.

Discover New by Paul McCartney released in 2013. Find album reviews, track lists, credits, awards and more at AllMusic.

7.0 / 10

New finds Paul McCartney no closer to resting on his golden laurels than he was 40 years ago.

7 / 10

Album review: Clash covers 'New', the first album of new material from Paul McCartney, and finds it to possess a curious schizophrenia...

New is an almost perversely titled album that, at least on the surface, seems like business as usual.

7 / 10

Paul McCartney's new album, appropriately (for now) titled New, is the former Beatle's first album of all new songs since Memory Almost Full (2007).

Paul McCartney could do with a collaborator who'll tell him when his new songs are a bit duff. But who on earth would ever&nbsp;dare to do that, asks <strong>Alexis Petridis</strong>

70 %

[xrr rating=3.5/5]Paul McCartney has always been a part of my life.

Album Reviews: Paul McCartney - New

Paul McCartney's jaunty, melodic 16th solo album, New, proves the former Beatle's talent is timeless

7 / 10