Photo by Frankie Pastor ’20 | Paul McCartney’s musical ability has influenced Brophy, with his guitar in display inside Eller.

By Frankie Pastor ’20

THE ROUNDUP

With many contemporary musicians such as Drake, Cardi B, and Travis Scott claiming the top position in the American album charts over the past few months and weeks (otherwise known as Billboard 200), a surprise twist has occurred this fall as Paul McCartney’s latest album “Egypt Station” debuted at number one.

Paul McCartney hasn’t had a number one album since his 1982 album “Tug of War” which featured other superstars such as Stevie Wonder. Back in 2015, Paul McCartney did feature in a song with pop/hip-hop icons Rihanna and Kanye West.

While “Egypt Station” does not include other superstars in the music industry like Rihanna, Kanye, or Stevie Wonder, this album seems to prove itself as one of his best works since the 80s (as proven by its chart position).

Like his days with one of the highly successful bands of the 20th century, The Beatles, Paul McCartney uses a blend of musical styles from rock, pop and blues that make each song unique in its own way.

Some songs like “Come On To Me” begin with classic guitar riffs, while the album’s opener song “Opening Station” opens with the sound of a busy station and leads into an organ-like solo. In addition, the lyrics feature the topics of love, denial, self-regret and friendship.

In today’s music, it seems as if each song that is released is created from a soundboard rather than usage from instruments. However, “Egypt Station” breaks that mold and uses instruments that vary from guitars, drums and pianos.

Although rap music is the top selling music genre right now in the United States, Paul McCartney has returned the interesting retro musical styles of the 1960s back into the present-day “pop stratosphere”. Paul McCartney has proved that you certainly do not need to rap or to even have music videos to have an album reach the top position.

Interestingly enough, none of the songs reached the top position on the Billboard 100 chart.

While Drake is using his musical ability to spread the message that everyone is within “God’s Plan”, Paul McCartney is using the psychedelic musical trends that he knows of to spread the idea that “People Want Peace”.

Paul McCartney has embarked on an international concert, and will make a stop to Phoenix on Jun. 26, 2019.