66 (album) explained

66
Type:	studio
Cover:	Paul Weller - 66.png
Artist:	Paul Weller
Recorded:	2021–2024
Studio:	Black Barn Studio
Length:	41:50
Label:	Polydor Solid Bond
Prev Title:	Fat Pop (Volume 1)
Prev Year:	2021

66 is the seventeenth solo studio album by English singer-songwriter Paul Weller. It was released on 24 May 2024 through Polydor Records and Solid Bond. The title is a reference to his 66th birthday, just a day after the release.

Background

With 66, the artist remains "steadfastly creative" and digs into "his bedrock".^[1] It was recorded at Weller's Black Barn studio from 2021 to 2024.^[2] The "reflective and inward thinking album"^[3] features contributions from Noel Gallagher, Bobby Gillespie of Primal Scream, Suggs of Madness, Richard Hawley, Dr Robert of the Blow Monkeys, Christophe Vaillant of Le SuperHomard, and Erland Cooper as well as string arrangements by Hannah Peel.^[4] The lead single "Soul Wandering", which was released on 23 February 2024, is a "sleek midtempo rocker" and features "regal horns", "gospel-style backing vocals" and organ sections.^[5] Weller released "Rise Up Singing" as the second single on 19 April, alongside a music video directed by Calum Macdiamid.^[6]

Personnel

Musicians

• Paul Weller – lead vocals (all tracks), background vocals (tracks 1–4, 6–12), electric guitar (1–4, 6, 11), bass guitar (1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10), acoustic guitar (1, 3, 7, 9, 11, 12), piano (1, 3, 6, 12), Mellotron (2, 4, 12), organ (2); percussion, Rhodes, synthesizer (4); Hammond organ, Wurlitzer electric piano (11); celesta, slide guitar (12)
• Ben Gordelier – drums (all tracks), percussion (tracks 2–4)
• Jacko Peake – flute (tracks 1, 9), saxophone (1), tenor saxophone (3, 9, 12), baritone saxophone (3, 9)
• Steve Pilgrim – acoustic guitar (track 1), background vocals (9)
• Max Beesley – vibraphone (tracks 1, 9)
• Le SuperHomard – synthesizer (tracks 2, 5, 8); acoustic guitar, background vocals, bass guitar, piano, tambourine, vibraphone (5, 8); celesta, Hammond organ, harpsichord, keyboards, organ (5); Mellotron, percussion, stylophone (8)
• Josh McClorey – bass guitar (track 2), electric guitar (11)
• Charles Rees – drum programming, synthesizer (track 2)
• Dave Boraston – trumpet (tracks 3, 6), piccolo trumpet (3), flugelhorn (4, 11)
• Steve Trigg – trumpet (tracks 3, 6), flugelhorn (4, 11)
• Tom Heel – background vocals (tracks 3, 9, 12), electric guitar (3); acoustic guitar, background vocals (4); Wurlitzer electric piano (10), Hammond organ (12)
• Louise Marshall – background vocals (tracks 3, 11)
• Sumudu Jayatilaka – background vocals (tracks 3, 11)
• Andy Gilliams – trombone (track 3)
• Steve Brown – Moog bass (track 4)
• Britten Sinfonia – orchestra (tracks 5–8, 12)
• Steve Cradock – electric guitar (tracks 6, 9–11), acoustic guitar (6)
• Dr. Robert – background vocals (track 6)
• Leah Weller – background vocals (track 6)
• Paul Speare – baritone saxophone (track 6)
• Marco Rees – electric guitar (track 6)
• Anthony Gaylard – tenor saxophone (track 6)
• Steve Brookes – acoustic guitar (track 7)
• Richard Hawley – lap steel guitar (track 7)
• Jake Fletcher – background vocals (track 9), bass guitar (11)
• Tom Doyle – drum programming, electric guitar, glockenspiel, Hammond organ, saxophone, strings, synthesizer, Wurlitzer electric piano (track 10)
• Say She She – background vocals (track 10)
• Erland Cooper – background vocals (track 12)
• Andy Crofts – bass guitar (track 12)

Technical

• Paul Weller – production (tracks 1–4, 6–12)
• Christophe Vaillant – production (track 5)
• White Label – production (track 10)
• Charles Rees – additional production, mixing, engineering
• Matt Colton – mastering
• Christopher Parker – engineering (tracks 5–8, 12)
• John Barrett – engineering (tracks 5–8, 12)
• Tom Ashpitel – engineering assistance (tracks 5–8, 12)
• Steve Trigg – horn arrangement (tracks 4, 11)
• Hannah Peel – string arrangement (tracks 5–8, 12)

Charts

Chart (2024)! scope="col"

Peak position
Croatian International Albums (HDU)^[7]	6
Italian Albums (FIMI)^[8]	73
Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)^[9]	43
Swedish Physical Albums (Sverigetopplistan)^[10]	6

Notes and References

1. Web site: Paul Weller Announces New Album 66. Murray. Robin. Clash. 23 February 2024. 21 April 2024.
2. Web site: Paul Weller announces new album 66. Taysom. Joe. Far Out. 23 February 2024. 21 April 2024.
3. Web site: Paul Weller announces 66 album and shares "Soul Wondering" track. Radio X. 23 February 2024. 21 April 2024.
4. Web site: Paul Weller announces new album 66: listen to "Soul Wandering". Pearis. Bill. BrooklynVegan. 23 February 2024. 21 April 2024.
5. Web site: Paul Weller – "Soul Wandering". Breihan. Tom. Stereogum. 23 February 2024. 21 April 2024.
6. Web site: Paul Weller To Release 66 Album for his 66th. Cashmere. Paul. Noise11. 19 April 2024. 21 April 2024.
7. Web site: Lista prodaje 22. tjedan 2024.. 26 May 2024. . hr. 7 June 2024. 6 June 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240606000314/https://www.top-lista.hr/www/lista-prodaje-strano-22-tjedan-2024//. dead.
8. Web site: Album – Classifica settimanale WK 22 (dal 24.05.2024 al 30.05.2024). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. it. 1 June 2024.
9. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Albums – Week of May 29, 2024. Billboard Japan. ja. 29 May 2024.
10. Web site: Veckolista Album Fysiskt, vecka 22. Sverigetopplistan. 31 May 2024.