Bruce Springsteen releases his NINETEENTH studio album today, with the debut of Western Stars, his first 'solo' album since 2005's Devils & Dust. A concept piece, exploring the vastness of the American west and playing with the mythology of the 'cowboy,' it's also possibly Springsteen's most challenging work in recent memory.
But is it in any good? We've been taking a look at some of the reviews so far.
https://open.spotify.com/album/6BhqPpIgY83rqoZ2L78Lte
Pitchfork: 'His best studio album in years'
The folks at Pitchfork were highly praising of Western Stars and explain how the album has taken a left turn from his more recent work, although there are hints that the new album draws from his trips down memory lane during the writing of his autobiography.
Springsteen albums are usually grand affairs but he’s never made one that sounds so vast and luxurious throughout. Paired with the down-and-out characters who haunt its mountains and canyons, the purposefully anachronistic arrangements—recalling jukeboxes, FM radios, sepia-toned montages, faded memories—carry an elegiac tone. It’s been a long time since popular music sounded like this, and it ties these characters to an era as much as a place.
Read their full review here.
NME: 'The most charming and enjoyable he’s sounded in quite some time'
Western Star garners four stars out of five in NME.com's review, where they delve into how this may be the perfect time for an American cowboy album.
The American archetype is getting a bit of a re-evaluation in pop culture right now, as modern artists channel the figure’s connotations and breathe new life into it.
Read their full review here.
Variety: 'Its '60s pop pastiche is irresistible'
The review from Variety does hint at a few possible writing flaws but is still hugely positive. They discuss the context of each song on the album but also use the word 'Jaunty' so make of that what you will.
He’s a tourist in this landscape, in all kinds of ways — but who was the sage who said, “I know I need a small vacation”? Springsteen has taken one out West, and he seems rejuvenated for it, even with the melancholy detours.
Read their full review here.
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Among the other reviews you can find online, the Irish Times give it five stars, citing is as his 'most radical and best album in years,' The Atlantic are also highly positive, while both The Guardian and Rolling Stone give it four stars out of five.
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Elswhere online, the reaction to Twitter has also been hugely complimentary. Plenty of praise with some suggesting there are a few tunes that may go into their all-time favourite Bruce Springsteen songs.
Just listened to the Western Stars album! WOW. What a beautiful collection of songs. Bruce’s voice is at a new level and the music is mesmerizing . So refreshing to hear new @springsteen music! As always the man DELIVERS! Need to get in my car, pump this baby up and just..Drive!
— Spring-Nuts (@SpringNuts_) June 13, 2019
Off the bat, I love this new @springsteen record more than any since “Tunnel of Love.” It’s his most distinctive, heartfelt and deepest felt album-length work in years. #WesternStars
— Peter Ames Carlin (@peteramescarlin) June 14, 2019
Beautiful, calming, and thousands of miles away from a grey, rainy morning in Brexit Britain. Thanks Bruce #WesternStars
— Carl Joesbury (@Carljoesbury) June 14, 2019
#MoonlightMotel is already one of my favourite @springsteen songs ever. Utterly beautiful. Love #WesternStars
— Peter Getty (@petegetty) June 14, 2019
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And what do we think of it, in here? It's exquisite. Take a couple of hours to yourself over the weekend, lie back and listen to it a couple of times through - you won't regret it.
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