Dalai Lama

Inner World

To say Inner World is probably the best debut album by an octogenarian you’ll hear this year is underplaying its quality.

Released to mark the Dalai Lama’s 85th birthday on July 6, this collection of mantras and chants goes beyond novelty, as befits someone with a Glastonbury Festival appearance under his belt.

Opener One Of My Favourite Prayers starts with a flute-like woodwind instrument, before the Dalai Lama introduces it in English. The remaining 10 tracks follow a similar template. There are no attempts at singing, and the gruff spoken words contrast with the beauty of the music. 7/10