Fat Pop, Volume 1

Released in May 2021, Fat Pop, Volume 1 represents a prolific peak for Paul Weller, arriving just a year after his acclaimed On Sunset. Recorded primarily during the COVID-19 lockdowns, the album saw Weller sending demos to his band members to record their parts remotely, resulting in a sound that is remarkably tight and focused. Unlike the sprawling, experimental nature of some of his mid-2000s work, this album prioritizes brevity and punchy arrangements, with many tracks clocking in under three minutes. Sonically, it is a 'pop' record in the broadest sense, incorporating elements of psych-pop, blue-eyed soul, and even hints of electronic music. It solidified Weller's late-career renaissance, receiving widespread critical praise for its vitality and refusal to settle into a predictable 'elder statesman' sound. The album debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, making Weller one of the few artists to have a chart-topping album across five consecutive decades.