66

Noel Gallagher, who has been writing with Weller since 22 Dreams, co-pens one of the best songs he’s put his name to in a while: a stomping piece of glammy punk called “Jumble Queen” ... Elsewhere, Weller’s own songs are also beautifully enhanced by other collaborators.

A few years older now, inching closer to 70, Weller sounds looser and lighter on 66 than he did in the recent past, a shift that adds warmth and playfulness to his wisdom.

In this elegiac 17th solo album made with guests including Noel Gallagher, Weller contemplates mortality with sun-dappled ballads – but there’s still an experimental edge.

There's a sense throughout of Weller, the inveterate seeker, grasping for something tantalisingly out of reach - and, n doing so, creating a record of recurrent intrigue and frequently sublimity.

Despite hanging on to nostalgia for all he’s worth, the former mod’s new album is full of beautiful, meaningful songs about ordinary life.

Britpop's favourite grumpy uncle channels Bowie, Bacharach and Blur on 17th solo album.

This album proves that an enduring purple patch of creativity is flourishing throughout his seventh decade. Long may it continue.

A record of true passion, ‘66’ finds Paul Weller throwing caution to the wind once more.

Weller can still write cutting and compelling music, but the mixed bag of 66 prevents it from standing out in a stellar discography.

Noel Gallagher, Bobby Gillespie and Suggs chip in on this solid affair, which peaks with some smouldering sax.

That Weller is still very much in the game at 66 is no mean feat, but a bit more grit wouldn’t go amiss.

The lyricism exhibited in 66 doesn’t come up to the standards of some of Weller’s classic releases. Still, a characterful croon reaches a pleasing harmony in several highlight tracks, framed throughout by well-produced instrumentation.