Albums to watch

McCartney III

Paul McCartney

McCartney III

Eighteenth solo album from the music legend, where he plays all instruments, is self-recorded and produced during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown

ADM rating[?]

7.6

Label
Universal Music
UK Release date
18/12/2020
US Release date
18/12/2020
  1. 10.0 |   XS Noize

    It is a wonderful thing to take in the sound of the most successful musician of all time crafting a DIY masterpiece during an unprecedented and unique period in human civilization. And it’s a wonderful thing to be on this earth at the same time as such a figure, who has surely given everything possible to popular music and yet is still giving so generously
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  2. 9.0 |   Exclaim

    His music already transcended time, but with the completion of this trilogy he has drawn a link through the past 50 years with his virtuosic compositions
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  3. 8.0 |   DIY

    A more than worthy third prong of the trilogy
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  4. 8.0 |   The Irish Times

    A reassuringly consoling collection of songs, sung by an eminent voice that may show occasional signs of frailty, but remains completely charming throughout
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  5. 8.0 |   The Independent

    McCartney’s mood-hopping rattle bag of a third solo album sounds more like a descendant of The Beatles’ ‘White Album’ than anything else
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  6. 8.0 |   Rolling Stone

    His latest recalls the pastoral, laid-back sound of 1970 solo debut
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  7. 8.0 |   The Guardian

    Returning to the critic-confounding solo home recordings of his McCartney series, this album is – some oddities and filler aside – affectingly personal and hugely enjoyable
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  8. 8.0 |   Evening Standard

    Even with such a rich, full sound, the overall feel is relaxed, freewheeling and fun
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  9. 8.0 |   All Music

    An album that benefits from its modest origins and McCartney's willingness to not polish too many of his rough edges
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  10. 8.0 |   Mojo

    Just like McCartneys I and II, III is a confounding cocktail of genius and misfires. Print edition only

  11. 8.0 |   Clash

    It’s almost rude, approaching eighty, that McCartney has the ability to craft an addition to his back catalogue that’s not only worthy of some of the highest points that have come before it, but one that actively enhances the story
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  12. 8.0 |   The Arts Desk

    Ideas are left to play out, as if recording music’s tumble through McCartney’s mind
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  13. 8.0 |   NME

    Like the rest of us (OK – not quite like the rest of us), Macca's been whiling away the hours. The result? A stellar return to his three-decade-spanning series
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  14. 8.0 |   Gigwise

    Another stark reminder that we are blessed to have Paul McCartney
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  15. 8.0 |   musicOMH

    An exuberant and heartening spin of the songwriting wheel, a carefree and not overthought documentation of how creativity can be harnessed and fledgling ideas brought to realisation More importantly, it’s a valuable addition to his catalogue that should provide happiness to many
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  16. 7.5 |   Consequence Of Sound

    The Beatle songwriter turns his lockdown material into the third installment of his self-titled series
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  17. 7.5 |   Under The Radar

    It’s catchy, well-crafted, and creative, all while remaining honest. It may not be the groundbreaking production that McCartney has, at times, produced with valiance and majesty, but it just works
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  18. 7.5 |   A.V. Club

    If it is indeed a swan song, McCartney III will stand as a proper coda for the singer-songwriter we’ve been listening to for fifty-odd years: sentimental yet strong, a bit wistful, but as always, looking ahead
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  19. 7.3 |   Spectrum Culture

    McCartney sounds energetic, teasing through a variety of styles as a general reminder of his continuing songwriting strength
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  20. 7.3 |   Beats Per Minute

    Even if it isn’t the notable stylistic statement that McCartney II was, it still feels poignant, and yes: surprisingly youthful
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  21. 7.2 |   Pitchfork

    The third installment in McCartney’s home-recorded series is less adventurous and revelatory than its eponymous predecessors, but still contains moments of genuine wonder and weirdness
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  22. 7.0 |   PopMatters

    Pop's premiere one-man-band Paul McCartney makes the ultimate lockdown album in McCartney II
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  23. 6.0 |   Sungenre

    Despite the never-ending issues that have flagged most of McCartney’s late-career work, McCartney III is often beautiful and seldom boring. It’s hard to expect more from someone who should have run out of ideas a long time ago
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  24. 6.0 |   The Observer

    Entirely self-produced at home during ‘rockdown’, the former Beatle’s latest offering possesses the same playful spirit as his 1970 solo debut
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  25. 6.0 |   The FT

    McCartney III resembles the ex-Beatle’s first solo album from 1970
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  26. 5.0 |   American Songwriter

    Though it’s by no means essential, McCartney 3 will likely still win over legions of compulsive Macca collectors
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