66 is the seventeenth solo studio album by the English singer-songwriter Paul Weller. It was released on 24 May 2024 through Polydor Records and Solid Bond. The title is a reference to his 66th birthday, just a day after the release.
With 66, the artist remains "steadfastly creative" and digs into "his bedrock".[1] It was recorded at Weller's Black Barn studio from 2021 to 2024.[2] The "reflective and inward thinking album"[3] features contributions from Noel Gallagher, Bobby Gillespie of Primal Scream, Suggs of Madness, Richard Hawley, Dr Robert of the Blow Monkeys, Christophe Vaillant of Le SuperHomard, and Erland Cooper as well as string arrangements by Hannah Peel.[4] The lead single "Soul Wandering", which was released on 23 February 2024, is a "sleek midtempo rocker" and features "regal horns", "gospel-style backing vocals" and organ sections.[5] Weller released "Rise Up Singing" as the second single on 19 April, alongside a music video directed by Calum Macdiamid.[6]
Steve Trigg – trumpet (tracks 3, 6), flugelhorn (4, 11)
Tom Heel – background vocals (tracks 3, 9, 12), electric guitar (3); acoustic guitar, background vocals (4); Wurlitzer electric piano (10), Hammond organ (12)
Louise Marshall – background vocals (tracks 3, 11)