So Beautiful or So WhatConcord *****

There are many remarkable aspects to Paul Simon's new album, beginning with Elvis Costello's reverential sleevenotes. But most remarkable is the music: 10 tracks that frequently reference the past (often Simon's own) but are buoyed by love and seem to look forward, albeit cautiously. The music is adventurous and spliced with interesting sounds, lyrical flourishes and themes. "Pop", says the iTunes category, but not the sort of deadening retromania pop we hear today. This album, Simon's first in five years, shows a 70-year-old artist fresh and alive with ideas, thought and heart. The music weaves global sounds and rhythms into his rooted gospel and early rock'n'roll. Simon's voice, ever young, questioning, apprehensive, soothing, carries life-affirming songs such as So Beautiful or So What, Love and Hard Times, Rewriteand a bundle of others. Remarkable. See paulsimon.com

Download tracks: So Beautiful or So What, Love and Hard Times