Paul Weller – True Meanings (2018) [Official Digital Download 24bit/44,1kHz]

As the icon of a generation, a bona fide star since his beginnings with the Jam, the Modfather has always inspired and fascinated fans, even just with his haircut! And in the year of his 60th birthday, Paul Weller is still giving his best. As always… Made up for the most part of acoustic songs, True Meanings, his 26th album (the 14th in solo), is far removed from his 2015 Saturns Pattern. Here, Weller seems to take a step back and reflect. He goes back to something extremely simple, straightforward, a floral and poetic album. As if the recording took place in a flowery meadow on a summer evening for an audience of insomniac romantics. Introspection is under way. The British artist studies the elements around him, dwells on his memories, sings a fanciful tribute to Bowie, all without omitting his distortions between jazz and soul…

True Meanings in itself is a Wellerian praise of ballad. It starts nicely and slowly with a guitar theme, before being wrapped in violins and background vocals. It’s an absolute delight to hear the Modfather live up to his seventies masterpieces like English Rose and Liza Radley. Even though Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler are no longer by his side in the studio, Paul Weller has always managed to surround himself with talent, as illustrated by the guests on True Meanings: Rod Argent from the Zombies (The Soul Searchers), Lucy Rose (Books), Tom Doyle (Movin On) and even a small appearance of Noel Gallagher on White Horses… A calm, laidback voice that fits perfectly with the few compositions of songwriter Erland Cooper from the band Erland and the Carnival. Two lyricists for an album that discreetly and subtly draws from genres, like this invention of a glam-rock picking ballad: Mayfly. A beautiful reference to T. Rex’s Get It On, without the glitter of course. No doubt about it, Paul Weller is a “Changingman” with delicate taste. – Clara Bismuth

Tracklist:

1-1. Paul Weller – The Soul Searchers (05:01)
1-2. Paul Weller – Glide (02:18)
1-3. Paul Weller – Mayfly (04:00)
1-4. Paul Weller – Gravity (02:33)
1-5. Paul Weller – Old Castles (03:20)
1-6. Paul Weller – What Would He Say? (04:00)
1-7. Paul Weller – Aspects (04:33)
1-8. Paul Weller – Bowie (03:53)
1-9. Paul Weller – Wishing Well (04:36)
1-10. Paul Weller – Come Along (03:03)
1-11. Paul Weller – Books (04:35)
1-12. Paul Weller – Movin On (04:31)
1-13. Paul Weller – May Love Travel With You (03:01)
1-14. Paul Weller – White Horses (05:24)