We just mentioned the upcoming Paul McCartney record in discussion of LP collaborator Ethan Johns’ new song, when, lo and behold, a first taste has surfaced. “New” was produced by Mark Ronson, one of the all-star studio lineup he recruited for various sessions, including Johns, Paul Epworth and Giles Martin. More details are promised in “the coming weeks,” but for now we know the album is titled New — as in all-new original tunes, perhaps, or as Paul simply put it, “We can do what we want, we can live as we choose.” The ballad “Hosannah” remains among our most anticipated of the set, but for now the title track is a fine reminder that McCartney is as ambitious and heartfelt as ever, armed with inspired pop hooks to boot. Hear it above.
