Paul McCartney
Egypt Station

For the old Macca, we have predictably run out of every word, definition, and praise available.

This elderly gentleman of seventy-six years, a former member of you-know-who, comes out with his seventeenth studio album, five years after the excellent "New." Back then, he relied on the skillful hands of producer-guru Mark Ronson, among others; this time, he’s even more foresightful, choosing the very popular and in-demand Greg Kurstin, who started with his band The Bird And The Bee and reinvented himself as a miracle-associated producer (most recently with the likes of Cvrches, Sia, Foo Fighters, and part of Liam Gallagher's remarkable solo comeback).

And the miracle repeats here; Macca continues to not miss a beat, considering we’re talking about an almost octogenarian who has proven everything. Since that miraculous “Chaos And Creation In The Backyard” thirteen years ago, Sir Paul has literally been reborn, and through highs (many) and lows (very few), he keeps churning out gems at a steady pace, even taking risks that an artist of his stature could easily avoid.

Take one of the singles off this new work, namely "Fuh You"; it’s the only track not produced by Kurstin, as the controls are handed over to OneRepublic’s frontman, Ryan Tedder (also working with the latest, partly surprising U2). Tedder, without any reverential fear, co-writes and constructs around McCartney a piece with quite modern tones, complete with high-pitched vocals, and good old Paul not only manages but delivers one of the album’s most brilliant tracks.

The rest clearly and unmistakably falls within full Macca territory: fun and lively rock 'n roll (the single "Come On To Me," the intense "Who Cares," even a dirty alt like "Caesar Rock"), piano ballads steeped in class and inspiration (the other single "I Don’t Know," a reflection on the difficulties of facing old age), acoustic delicacies as if it were raining (the moving "Happy With You," "Confidante"), and even a neo-samba episode (!!!) like "Back To Brazil."

Is that it, are we satisfied? Not at all. There's "Dominoes," which is seriously one of the best tracks composed by the former Beatle in the last twenty years, and there are two long suite-masterpieces positioned towards the end of the album.

A surprising, beautiful album that brings back a Paul McCartney who has no intention of giving up. Luckily for us.

Best track: Despite Repeated Warnings