Album Review: Paul Weller – Fat Pop
Fat Pop
Paul Weller returns with his new solo album ‘Fat Pop’ on 14th May.
Pre-Order here: https://www.paulweller.com/
Amazingly the album comes less than a year after his previous album ‘On Sunset’ which was released July 2020. We may be in the middle of a pandemic but that isn’t stopping Paul Weller who is currently in the midst of an unbelievably prolific purple patch. Paul Weller will not let us down when we need him most.
It would be easy for Paul Weller to sit back and release pretty much anything but Weller still likes to push himself musically, creatively and this always makes for an album that is as eclectic as Paul’s own musical taste. These are the most prominent in album opener ‘Cosmic Fringes’ which was the first release and also the title track ‘Fat Pop’. ‘Fat Pop’ asking the question of who is there for you? In a bit of an Ian Dury style “Who’s always there when you really need them? Who’s been a friend when you really needed one? Who gives a fuck when no one else does? Who gives a fuck when no one else does?… Fat pop, fat pop.“
Weller has enlisted a few special guests on the album, ‘True’ is a duel vocal off with Lia Metcalfe from The Mysterines. Andy Fairweather Low joins Paul on one of the most fun tracks on the album ‘Testify’. ‘Shades of Blue’ sees Paul’s daughter Leah Weller join in on the songwriting and vocals a sure nod to The Style Council days when Leah’s mum Dee C Lee supplied vocals.
As influential that Paul Weller is, he also doesn’t mind showing his influences either and ‘Moving Canvas’ channels The Rolling Stones.
If it’s the more traditional Weller that wets your whistle then ‘In Better Time’ will more than satisfy your need, the emotion that Paul unleashes during the tune certainly plays the right notes on the heartstrings. Previous single ‘Glad Times’ will be the other tune that you head to.
The album finishes with the beautiful story of ‘Still Glides The Stream’, opening with “The man who never was, painted images of freedom, he never sold a lot, it wasn’t what his public wanted.” Immediately commands your attention, lyrically this stands out the most on ‘Fat Pop and is an incredible tune to end on, by the time the strings kick in you are fully immersed into the track.
To say this is Paul Weller‘s 16th solo album and the second within the space of a year, the man is on incredible song written form and lucky for us, he shows no sign of stopping anytime soon.
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