Paul Weller - Saturns Pattern

Paul Weller has never been a stranger to reinvention – his years with the Jam and the Style Council are proof enough of this – but his latest release, the futuristic, sci-fi sounding Saturns Pattern is a whole new direction altogether. With clear progression from his previous effort, 2013’s Sonik Kicks, Saturns Pattern is synth-soaked and full of electronic elements with exceptional production; there are pauses and stammers that leave you on the edge of your seat. White Sky is the best example of this – the introduction could be a Horrors song, the inserts and sound effects almost Clean Bandit-like. Of course, no Weller album is complete without magnificent, booming guitars and Saturns Pattern is no exception – woven intricately into the electric mesh of sound are heavenly alt-rock whispers and bluesy solos, dancing above a weathered bass line. Long Time transports you to a sweltering bar in the wild west somewhere with its rollercoaster of psychedelic riffs, hand claps and jangly piano bursts and I’m Where I Should Be paints pictures of deep space, almost reminiscent of Life On Mars-era Bowie. Closing Saturns Pattern is the mighty eight-and-a-half-minute These City Streets, a conclusion that’ll leave you wishing for more from a sophisticated, contemporary album by an aging but still spectacular musician.