“I see the album as very uplifting.”

Paul Weller talks to Pat Gilbert.

Did you go into this album resolving to do something different again? ÒNot really. A couple of songs were done before [last album] Saturns Pattern came out, but it was mostly written last year. I donÕt mean this in any arrogant way, but I was so pleased with the sound on Saturns Pattern, I wanted to pursue that a bit more. Whether IÕve done that I donÕt knowÉ what you end up with isnÕt usually what you set out to do. It wrote itself after a while. It happened pretty quickly Ð it was done by last October.Ó

Did you see A Kind Revolution as a statement about the world today? The album addresses big themes… ÒWell, itÕs a statement about where I am at the momentÉ We need a revolution but not one that kills more people, one that means we look into ourselves a bit more. Not just as a nation but as part of the human race. Do you remember that picture of a baby girl washed up on the beach a couple of years ago? The migrant? I was thinking of putting that on the cover. I didnÕt know whether humanity had sunk to a new low or not, or whether weÕre just more aware of it. Then thereÕs that picture of the boy sitting in the back of an ambulance in Aleppo Ð what kind of world can allow that to happen? WeÕre so de-sensitised to it all.Ó

What do you think can be done about it? ÒI donÕt know, but thereÕs not an international peace movement. WeÕre fucked, really. At the moment I canÕt see where the hope is coming from. If you look at the world leaders, we donÕt have a Mandela or a Dr King or whoever speaking up for peace.Ó

The track The Cranes Are Back touches on the idea that society might undergo a positive renewal. ÒYes, itÕs a double metaphor. In some societies the cranes returning are a sign of good fortune, and then I was also thinking about mechanical cranes, where you see people spending money and building starting again. I see the album as very uplifting as a whole.Ó

Some guests are unexpected, like Boy George. ÒHe was going to sing on Saturns Pattern but it didnÕt work out. I love his voice, it sounds better than ever, really soulful. IÕd like to do something with him in the future. With P.P. Arnold and Madeline Bell, they both live in Spain and both happened to be in London on the day we wanted them to do it. Young Josh McClorey from The Strypes plays on a few tracks, but the core was me, Ben [Gordelier] and Crofty [Andy Crofts]. BenÕs one of the best drummers IÕve ever played with. I just think someone might sound good on a particular tracks and call them up. ItÕs always good to bring new people in.Ó