Inspector Sands:
"All form, no substance" was how Lennon, at his most Aunt Mimi-ish, dismissed McCartney's output in 1980. There's been plenty of evidence before and since to contradict that view - but this song doesn't. The melody owes something to George Harrison's jaunty, witless _All Those Years Ag_o, while the 'All my life...' part is similar to Macca's own Blackbird. It also does that thing we've had a bit of recently, where the tune can't quite find a place to land; it sort of flies over the airstrip a few times before plopping down. Which wouldn't matter so much, but it's the vocals. Again, they're strained and you just can't have a summery vibe pop song with that treatment. I find it annoying, as though Macca is suggesting this lends a certain vulnerability and poignancy to it all. I guess Fred Astaire redid his classics in later life, The Golden Age of Astaire in particular must have been in his 70s, he was just busking it because his voice wasn't really up to it. For all that, I only just listened to Valentine recently, as I thought this would be another wobbly croon, and Macca nails it. Okay, helps it's in a lower register but I just can't fault the melody or delivery, it's a classic. Helps you have lovely menshka Natalie Portman emoting it of course. Perhaps for New they can have Scarlet Johansson removing an article of clothing for each line Macca sings... Otherwise, just now sure about the wisdom of having Mark Ronson, a bit of a showy producer likely to overshadow Macca's weak vocals. It all sounds a bit synthetic, but then again, the wonderful clank clank guitar work of Getting Better you can't get, cos songs don't do texture today, they do sound effects and so on instead. Okay if you're Amy, you have the power to rise above all that. Dunno, you have Mumford and Sons making it big with their anthem 'I belong to you, you belong to me' song doing the rounds, soundalike Wings if ever there was, lo-fi sound, then you have Macca doing this kind of thing. And why release a track with a summery vibe just two days before the end of summer? Still, the tune goes around my head like a bad thought you want to wipe out with neuro linguistic programming. Really, Katy Perry's Roar is the big new pop song of the moment imo.
Inspector Sands, IMHO, New (the song) lands just fine and l like his vocals. Not saying it is one of Paul's best songs (he probably has 100 very good to great songs and New is probably a mid-tier song for Paul) but "New" is a good feeling, optimistic and summerish Pop song that many people will enjoy. Admittedly, it is on the light side but I'm hoping that there are several better, deeper songs on the Album. Paul's writing covers many genres and the light Pop is just one of them. While it is nice to hear a happy, Beatle sounding new Pop song by Paul, I'm really excited for the whole album. That will be my ultimate judge. Don't know where you live but September is still a warm, summery type of month in almost all the US and the populated portions of Canada. There is still plenty of time for "New" to give that summer-like vibe in America. Finally, it's pretty tiresome for people to continue to quote John as though he is the final say in Paul's songwriting career. Macca has been writing songs for over 30 years since John's horrible assassination. Who's to say that John wouldn't be very complementary of Paul's "total" musical career if he could speak today. Sir Paul has never stopped churning out the music and performing for over 50 years now. Along the way, he continues to give his fans great music with tremendous diversity. People aren't going to love every song but you have to admire the work ethic and how prolific he has been. I also admire that he never does a full show without his tributes to John, George and Linda. He never forgets his roots. PS Glad you like My Valentine. I liked it too.