Description
Paul Simon – Stranger To Stranger – 180 Gram Vinyl Record
Paul Simon – Stranger to Stranger, released in 2016, is a daring and imaginative album that reaffirms Simon’s status as a restless musical innovator, even in the twilight of his career. Far from relying on nostalgia or past formulas, Simon dives deep into new sonic territory, blending avant-garde composition techniques, global rhythms, and digitally altered textures into a body of work that feels both modern and spiritually ancient. The album is sonically rooted in collaboration with producer Roy Halee, as well as Italian electronic artist Clap! Clap!, and incorporates microtonal instruments inspired by experimental composer Harry Partch. Yet, for all its experimentation, the songs remain grounded in Simon’s signature lyrical brilliance—rich with wit, subtlety, and reflection.
Stranger to Stranger is concerned with aging, mortality, faith, and absurdity, often delivered with Simon’s trademark blend of humor and melancholy. Tracks like “The Werewolf” and “Wristband” showcase his ability to observe the world with both detachment and empathy, while songs like “Proof of Love” and the title track offer more introspective, spiritual moments. There’s a palpable sense of a man contemplating life’s mysteries, its ironies, and its fleeting beauty. Simon’s voice—softer, weathered—adds a layer of intimacy to each track, making the album feel personal and meditative.
What makes Stranger to Stranger particularly remarkable is how forward-looking it is. Rather than echoing his folk-rock past, Simon leans into the textural complexity of modern sound design, using rhythm as both structure and atmosphere. The album doesn’t chase commercial trends; it’s the work of an artist following his curiosity, regardless of expectation. Critically acclaimed and commercially successful (especially in the UK), it stands as one of Simon’s most boldly creative late-career statements, on par with David Bowie’s Blackstar or Leonard Cohen’s You Want It Darker in its fearless embrace of mortality and reinvention.
Stranger to Stranger is not just a great album from a legendary artist—it’s a testament to Paul Simon’s lifelong commitment to curiosity, cross-cultural fusion, and lyrical depth. It’s music for deep listening, where every texture, phrase, and rhythm reveals something new.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic
Track Listing
The Werewolf
Wristband
The Clock
Street Angel
Stranger To Stranger
In A Parade
Proof Of Love
In The Garden Of Edie
The Riverbank
Cool Papa Bell
Insomniac’s Lullaby
