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Album reviews Music

Paul Simon – So Beautiful Or So What

PAUL SIMON plays Massey Hall Friday (May 6) and Sound Academy Saturday (May 7). See listings. Rating: NNNN


It wasn’t that long ago that hipsters sneered at Paul Simon for cultural appropriation, but after a decade of buzz bands borrowing liberally from African pop, he’s long overdue for a reassessment. For one thing, his approach to cross-cultural collaboration is much more defensible than Vampire Weekend’s blatant imitation. And while Simon never seemed particularly cool in his younger years, the production on So Beautiful Or So What is often as adventurous as anything coming out of the underground.

It’s tempting to see this as a comeback, but Simon’s late-period albums have all enjoyed critical praise even if they haven’t always been big sellers. However, there is something especially poignant and inspired about his 12th studio album. He moves effortlessly between gospel influences, rockabilly references, African and Indian touches, intimate folk pop and even techno, tying it all together with spiritual and political themes that neatly avoid heavy-handedness. He’s said this is his best work in 20 years, and we agree.

Top track: Love Is Eternal Sacred Light

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