McCartney III Imagined
| Paul McCartney
McCartney III Imagined
McCartney III Imagined is a remix album of songs from McCartney III, the 18th solo album by English musician Paul McCartney. It was released digitally on 16th April 2021, with a physical version released on 23rd July. -Wikipedia
Critic Reviews
Show All-
The Independent
McCartney cements his legacy as a pop-rock godfather by inviting a younger generation of artists onboard, while AJ Tracey is still doing things on his own terms.
-
Pitchfork
Sir Paul presents a resequenced, alternate-universe version of last year’s trilogy-completing release, as performed by Beck, Phoebe Bridgers, St. Vincent, Dev Hynes, Damon Albarn, and more.
-
WERS
Brilliant artists of all genres and eras imagine one of the albums’ eleven tracks in their own eyes. No two songs sound the same, but each is the wonderful result of incredible sonic experimentation.
-
The Guardian
classy remixes by proxy.
-
Spill Magazine
McCartney III Imagined is more than a remix project, it is a reinterpretation. Here, the new versions create a whole new and distinct album, and one that sits comfortably aside with McCartney III.
-
NME
The Beatle showcases charming reworks of his recent album, with kaleidoscopic input from Beck, St. Vincent, Josh Homme, Anderson Paak and more.
-
Paste Magazine
Imagined could have been a diehards-only distraction. Instead, the album’s somewhat Love-like: It helps you see a revered artist from a different angle.
-
Rolling Stone
Paul McCartney Delivers a Playful Gem with ‘McCartney III’.
-
Far Out Magazine
McCartney III Imagined is unlikely to find a prominent place in anyone’s music collection aside from McCartney completists, and it will live now and forever as a quaint curiosity, a minor blip sometimes brought up when discussing the non-remixed version of the album. But an easily digestible and dispensable reworked album fits perfectly within the Paul McCartney story. When the world seems to get a little too heavy, we should all take a cue from Sir Paul and keep it light.
-
musicOMH
Ultimately, this album will draw the attention of McCartney fans and of the artists involved, and will remain a curio for the rest. Yet it’s good to see rock’s ultimate ‘Elder Statesman’ reaching out to a younger generation and trusting them with his material. Not all of McCartney III Imagined works, but when it does it sounds genuinely exciting. And you can’t say that about the work of many 78-year-olds.
-
Clash Magazine
Remix albums are often – truth be told – an absolute chore, a hangover from the 90s era of 17 quid compact discs. This reiminaging, however, serves of noble dual task – it illustrates Paul McCartney’s continued creative relevance to artists a third of his age, while also underlining the craftmanship that went into last year’s ‘McCartney III’. Not an essential listen, perhaps, but one that will fascinate and intrigue fans.
-
Loud and Quiet
These re-interpretations, which also come from the likes of Beck and Blood Orange, hang together stylistically but it’s hard to know who’s the intended target audience. A curio rather than a necessity for McCartney fans, it nonetheless celebrates his continued influence and willingness to remain open to fresh sounds.
-
Pancakes and Whiskey
Again, this is not going to be for the average Paul McCartney fan but if you’re open minded and looking for something different that sounds great driving at night in your car, and that’s how I listened to it for the first time. But even better yet, if you’re looking for something sleek, and sensual while you’re in an amorous mood with that special someone, this record is for you.
-
The Irish Times
Not much better than the original.
-
Montreal Rocks
McCartney III Imagined continues his tradition of exploring new music with a fabulous guest list featuring some of the most talented and diverse artists around. Each contributor was personally enlisted by the ex-Beatle and brings a unique and exciting spin on their track. I don’t care how old you are or what type of music you listen to, when you get that call, you bloody well jump.
-
Cover Me
The album is, absolutely, a celebration of musical eclecticism, which shows how an intriguing concept can really work out in practice. Sure, there’ll be the cynics who’ll accuse McCartney of shamelessly courting millennials and hipsters and young musos by hiring all these indie superstars to put their mark on his songs. But with results this good, who cares?
-
Irish Examiner
Imagined uses top-class collaborators to bridge the generation gap.
-
DIY Magazine
A more than worthy third prong of the trilogy.
-
All Music
Individually, these moments may not seem particularly eccentric, yet when they're collected as an album, they add up to a charmingly off-kilter record, an album that benefits from its modest origins and McCartney's willingness to not polish too many of his rough edges.
-
Beats Per Minute
Instead of ruminating on his mortality, he’s dancing on TikTok and delivering what is one of his most likable rock albums of his career – an album that doesn’t feel like it requires jokes, or Mark Ronson, or big orchestral pomp to hit the mark. Even if it isn’t the notable stylistic statement that McCartney II was, it still feels poignant, and yes: surprisingly youthful.
-
The Guardian
lockdown LP has his best songs in years.
-
Stereoboard
McCartney is an extraordinarily ordinary person. He has never really aimed to be ground-breaking or revolutionary, unlike his former songwriting partner. This album, like most of his solo efforts, is Paul having fun, crafting songs with simple chords and vocals that are guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Here, McCartney’s music yet again acts as a balm.
-
AP News
Paul McCartney is fab on ‘McCartney III’.
-
inews
McCartney hands over his 2020 album to artists including St Vincent, Paul McCartney, Damon Albarn and Blood Orange – it’s a mixed bag in a very good way.
-
The Independent
Melodic charm, craftsmanship and open-minded optimism make this solo album a real treat.
-
The Wall Street Journal
His tour canceled owing to Covid-19, the musician put together an album at home in England on which he plays all the instruments and displays a still vibrant compositional flair.
-
The Arts Desk
Ideas are left to play out, as if recording music’s tumble through McCartney’s mind.
-
The Times
loose songs that tumble with feeling and sincerity.
-
The Telegraph
the whimsical, poppy antidote to a miserable year.
-
Spectrum Culture
Eleven remixes probe ways to reinvigorate and reshape McCartney’s most recent effort.
-
Flood Magazine
McCartney took what he created in McCartney III, and reimagined it with new pieces of the puzzle, with a little help from his friends. This album in and of itself is about bringing you back to center, and reminding you that music can simply be nothing but fun.
-
Metro Weekly
A solid, sometimes surprising collection of covers.
-
Rough Trade
The result is a kaleidoscopic reinterpretation of an album Rolling Stone accurately tagged “an inspiration to us all”—one that serves as an extension of the instantly beloved McCartney III while standing on its own as brilliant and adventurous milestone in the McCartney discography.
Rate This Album and Leave Your Comments