UNFOLLOW THE RULES

RUFUS WAINWRIGHT ★★★★ ★ F SCOTT Fitzgerald wrote there are no second acts in American lives, but Wainwright says Frank Sinatra, Leonard Cohen and Paul Simon produced their finest work when they hit their 40s, and, now he is at that age himself, he’s aiming to do the same.

First single Damsel In Distress, all strings, woodwind and references to Chelsea skies, is a homage to Joni Mitchell and Laurel Canyon, where he now lives, and the classic 70s LA sound, while the title track is a piano-led ballad.

Despite its title, Wainwright isn’t breaking the rules here, but he’s as good a songwriter as is working right now and at the peak of his powers.