Album review:Paul McCartney, New (Virgin EMI)

There's an unsatisfying, piecemeal character to New, probably attributable to McCartney's decision to use four producers, Paul Epworth, Mark Ronson, Ethan Johns and Giles Martin. The best are decent enough: the taut, driving "Save Us" and the jaunty title-track offer ebullient expressions of affection, while "On My Way to Work" draws on the young Paul's pre-fame time. Similar reminiscences such as "Early Days", and romantic trifles like "Hosanna", make barely any impression – and there's an uneven texture to the project. It's okay, but only just.

Download: Save Us; On My Way to Work; New