Paul McCartney, Egypt Station, Album Review

Paul McCartney

Egypt Station

Album Review

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Paul McCartney really doesn't need any introduction. The former Beatles member shows us all that he's still got it with his newest solo instalment; "Egypt Station". I realised that this album had been released when I saw it advertised at my local HMV, and I couldn't help but be intrigued to listen to it.

As a whole, the album has this very matured atmosphere in most of the tracks in which it would be hard to put it into any specific kind of genre but its nevertheless very enjoyable. It has a similar whimsical vibe as the Jake Shears album released last month, while also having the rock and roll characteristics found on Liam Gallaghers "As You Were".

The album opens with a short intro titled "Opening Station". The only sort of significance I could imagine it having would perhaps be that it is a nod to when Paul used to be a choirboy, thanks to the growing choir-like harmony that spans throughout this intro.

We then move on to the very somber and melancholy atmosphere of "I Don't Know". And while it may seem that it would be a weird choice to be the first official song on a relatively feel-good album, I feel like this song does a marvellous job at showcasing Paul's finely aged vocals as well as possibly a window into his own personal feelings. Despite all the melancholy in the tracks instrumentation, the lyrics are all the more captivating.

Where the album really begins to have the energy kick in is with the next track "Come On To Me". It has a really catchy rhythm and melody which just screams classic Beatles. The lyrics (in the chorus specifically) are somewhat simple, but I feel that in this case it's wonderful and helps the song become a memorable classic.

"Happy With You" is a marvellously sweet tune. It once again showcases a far more mature side to Paul while also having a very tranquil melody as well as a nice sense of progression from verse to verse.

"Who Cares" took a while to grow on me. But I realised only recently how well the song carries through an almost 70's rock vibe that reminds me a lot of some of Bowie's music. It became a very catchy tune once I gave it enough attention.

"Fuh You" has a much more current feel to it. But unfortunately, I really didn't feel that it was necessary in an album such as this. It could be argued that it sounds like a very generic summery pop anthem of the late 2010's. As well as this, the lyrics are just a bit too simple and don't really carry through a lot of sentiment or meaning. It seems to be doing well amongst other listeners though which I guess is something positive to come out of it at least.

"Confidante" is a very sweet acoustic number and makes for a very good love song. There are a few other instrumental elements that give it a bit of a unique edge.

"People Want Peace" is a very touching anthem that also has a bit of a classic Beatles vibe to it. It has a very nice level of progression thanks to the rhythm that kicks in about half way through.

"Hand In Hand" is potentially one of my favourite of the more mellow tracks. It sends a romantic message similarly to "Confidante". It feels very tranquil and almost grand in a way. I also love the little instrumental with the wind instruments.

As soon as the beat kicked in at around the 30 second mark, I knew that the next track "Dominoes" was a good one. It felt like something that could of easily been on "As You Were" and it would've  been just as compelling if it were to be.

Definitely one of the most memorable racks on the album has to be "Back In Brazil". It has this really pleasant quirkiness to it that reminds me somewhat of the more experimental stuff from The Beatles with its outlandish electronic beat.

"Do It Now" is arguably the most classic Beatles sounding track on here. In fact, it would make a very convincing song from the band. With this, the track is very pure and simplistic and has a high level of Britishness to it. It's also nearly as melancholy in tone as "I Don't Know" and has some very poetic lyrics.

Up next, things take a very unexpected turn in the form of "Caesar Rock". I love this track just for how badass it sounds considering that its coming from a now 76 year old Paul McCartney. Vocally, he has this weird sort of James Hetfield / James Brown sort of thing going on. But he find a way to make it work perfectly! I honestly love this track to bits!

"Despite Repeated Warnings" is a very theatrical, nearly 7 minute long piece with a good sense of storytelling and a very nice change in tempo after roughly the first three minutes (which are more soft and do excellently in setting the tone). After about the 4.20 mark, the tempo changes once again in an almost Meat Loaf like fashion. Despite an interlude and another track following this, "Despite Repeated Warnings" clearly feels like the most conclusive track to me.

The last two tracks are "Station II" which I feel is really weirdly placed and doesn't really even feel that different compared to "Opening Station", but it transitions quite nicely into the final track; "Hunt You Down/Naked/C-Link". I found it kinda weird how this song is essentially three in one, as if he wasn't allowed enough space or something to put all three individually onto the album. Nevertheless, I love the first third of the song (a.k.a. "Hunt You Down") which almost has this Rolling Stones vibe to it. "Naked" sounds a bit like some kind of whimsical Jake Shears number (only not as memorable) and C-Link just sound like an All Them Witches instrumental. However, I still felt that it was an interesting way to finish off the album.

Needless to say, this album is a more than worthy effort from one of musics greatest! His sheer musical talent really shines through on the majority of the tracks and I really hope that we are treated with more records in the future.


Thank you for reading.

BBP.