Paul McCartney – Egypt Station

The first hint that Sir Paul had something special up his sleeve was his appearance on James Corden’s Carpool Karaoke. The next hint was a preview single “Come On To Me” – the single was solid.

Egypt Station is the best thing Macca has done in twenty years. Great songs, great production and he has still has his singing chops.

Greg Kurstin produced the album. I did not know this guy, so I scrolled through his credits. Wow. This is an interesting matchup. Kurstin is a pop guy, he is more than a knob turner, he is a serious musician. How much fun do you think these two studio rats had?

Per McCartney, this is a concept album: each cut is a train station and thus each cut should sound different. You are rolling down the tracks checking out each station. Not much of a concept – but if it inspired McCartney who cares – we are the beneficiaries.

On Egypt Station he sounds like classic McCartney, yet completely current. The contemporary production does not overpower or seem awkward. It seems like an appropriate update of McCartney’s sound. You can hear McCartney borrowing from his own disciples: U2, Coldplay, Sting, Spoon, etc. I guess you can do that when you have been in the game nearly sixty years.

McCartney is not leaning on his silly love songs, but rather he is sharing wisdom from his 76 years on the planet. How to handle bullies (“Who Cares”), cheerleading (“Do It Now”), Trump (“Despite Repeated Warnings”), etc.

It is great to see a master create yet another masterpiece late in his career. He is not content to coast on his hits – he has a need to make new creations. Egypt Station is a completely successful album. Congrats Sir Paul!