Album: Press to Play

Overview
"Press to Play" is the 6th solo studio album by English artist Paul McCartney, launched on September 1, 1986, by Parlophone in the UK and Columbia Records in the US. The album marked a significant departure from McCartney's previous works, as it is greatly affected by 1980s pop and contemporary production strategies. The record saw him work together with producer Hugh Padgham, who was well-known for his work with artists like Phil Collins, Genesis, and The Police. Regardless of the album's experimental nature and the boosted production, "Press to Play" received blended evaluations from critics and was considered an industrial disappointment at the time.

Background and Recording
In 1984, following the breakup of his band Wings, McCartney branched out to work with other artists and started teaming up with different artists, such as Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder. After the important and commercial success of his previous album "Tug of War" (1982), McCartney was keen to experiment even more with his music.

For "Press to Play", he got Hugh Padgham, a producer known for his drum sound and polished production design. Recording sessions for the album happened at McCartney's home studio in Sussex and at Abbey Road Studios in London between September 1985 and April 1986. A host of contributing artists joined McCartney during the sessions, consisting of guitarists Carlos Alomar, Eric Stewart, and Pete Townshend, along with drummer Jerry Marotta among others.

A lot of the tunes on the album were co-written with 10cc's Eric Stewart, while others were collaborations with his spouse, Linda McCartney. This brand-new method to songwriting offered a fresh perspective in the songcrafting process for McCartney.

Music and Lyrics
"Press to Play" encapsulates a wide array of musical styles, including pop, rock, new age, and ballads. The album reflects the 1980s music scene with its manufactured results, electronic drums, and sleek production. Songs like "Stranglehold" and "Press" display McCartney welcoming brand-new production strategies and unique drum sounds, while tracks like "Pretty Little Head" and "Move Over Busker" show a speculative and revitalizing technique to his songwriting.

Thematically, McCartney dives into diverse and reflective topics, such as broken relationships, nostalgia, and even political commentary. The album's opening track, "Stranglehold", delves into the intricacies of love, while "Good Times Coming/Feel the Sun" provides a positive outlook for individual growth and advancement.

Reception and Legacy
Upon its release, "Press to Play" was met combined reviews from music critics. While some praised McCartney's experimentation with modern-day production and songwriting techniques, others felt that the album's business sound did not fit his design. One of the most effective singles from the album, "Press", reached number 21 on the UK Singles Chart and number 25 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Nevertheless, in general, the album did not carry out as well as McCartney's previous solo releases.

In spite of its uninspired reception at the time, "Press to Play" maintains its interest fans who enjoy McCartney's endeavor into the world of 1980s pop music and appreciate his willingness to experiment with various styles. Today, the album represents a fascinating duration in McCartney's career, when he was aiming to tackle brand-new difficulties in the ever-evolving music landscape of the 1980s.