He’s already started working on his new record – and it promises to be very different to Sonik Kicks and Saturns Pattern. “I quite fancy doing something more soulful, that kind of thing.”

Paul Weller: ‘No political party can lead us out of the darkness’

Paul Weller has said that ‘no one political party can lead us out of the darkness’, as he discusses the political tone of some moments on his new album ‘A Kind Revolution‘.

Weller spoke to NME ahead of his recent Teenage Cancer Trust show at the Royal Albert Hall, when he said that his upcoming 13th album would be a ‘continuation’ of the sound on previous record ‘Saturn’s Pattern‘, and that several of the tracks dealt with the current political landscape in the wake of Brexit, Donald Trump’s Presidency and the rise of the right wing.

“I’ve kind of written more in terms about how it affects humanity, and how it affects all of us,” Weller told NME. “If the world’s going to change at all, and it needs to, it’s got to come from inside people, and that’s why the album’s called ‘A Kind Revolution’. Change has got to come through love and compassion and unity amongst people. As opposed to revolution which just shoots a lot of people and installs another line of leaders.

“Whether that’ll ever happen, I have no idea, but it certainly needs to. But I guess it addresses some of those things on the record.”

Weller continued: “I don’t think the answer is necessarily in politics – I think it’s in us human beings, and that’s a far bigger question. There’s no one political party that’ll lead us out of the darkness – it’s going to have to come from the people; but who knows if that’ll happen. I think all we can do is be conscious of it as best you can, and be as good person as you can.”

Asked if the album as a whole was a ‘political’ record, Weller replied: “No absolutely not – it’s a humanitarian record.”

He also revealed a few special guests on the album, telling NME that “Boy George sings on one track, and Josh from The Strypes plays lead guitar on a few song, and my band – playing various instruments really.”

Paul Weller releases ‘A Kind Revolution’ on May 12.

Paul Weller talks new album 'A Kind Revolution,' music career

Iconic singer-songwriter Paul Weller chatted with Digital Journal about his new studio album, "A Kind Revolution," which will be released on Warner Bros./Parlophone Records on May 12.

Regarding the song selection for his new album, A Kind Revolution, Weller said, "I approached it the same I approached all the songs in the last 40 years. We went out to make a record, and we saw what happens. We didn't plan beyond that really."

He listed "Satellite Kid" as his personal favorite song on the upcoming album. "It was the last track that we recorded for the album. We got towards the end, and I felt that it needed something else, so we decided to jam and improvise on that. We had some vocal ideas, so we just jammed it out as a band with the bass player, lead guitar player and a drummer, and we just cut it live. I thought it worked out well," he said.

Most recently, his soundtrack album for Jawbone, garnered a favorable review from Digital Journal. "That was great. It was a different experience for me since it was the first full-soundtrack album that I've ever done. Before, I did individual songs for films, but this was the first time I did an entire musical project for a film," he said. "I think the film is amazing as well. It is an independent, London-based film."

Regarding his plans for the future, he said, "Make some more music and keep doing what I do. Beyond that, I don't really have any ambitions."

When asked what motivates him each day, Weller responded, "I try to be optimistic these days. I try and look for the good things that are happening in my life. I try to appreciate more these days. My motivation is in my children, my wife, my loved ones, and my music. My motivation is really that."

On the key to longevity in the music industry, Weller said, "You have to stay true to your art and your music and whatever it is you are doing." "I so firmly believe that if you stick to what you believe in, then eventually it comes around and people see it and people recognize quality," he added.

Weller listed Brittany Howard from Alabama Shakes and UK artist Lucy Rose as his dream female collaboration choices in life. "She's got quite the voice," he said, referring to the former songstress. "I hope to do something with Lucy Rose at some point in time."

For aspiring singer-songwriters, the veteran musician offered the following advice: "Don't give up. Don't defer to too many people. Stick to your guns and stick to what you believe in."

He defined the word success as "Having some control over your life, and you dictate where your life and music are going. Also, as a person as well. I've had some downs, but generally speaking, I've never really been told what to do too much or forced into things that I don't want to do. So, that's a form of success for me."