Album Review: Yusuf / Cat Stevens, King Of A Land

While one might speculate about the shedding of the “Islam” part of Cat Stevens’ adopted Muslim name, there’s no denying that his seventeenth album continues the return to form signalled by his last outing, Tea For The Tillerman 2.

A decade in the making, this new work springs a few surprises too.

His 75-year-old voice is as honeyed as ever, and the Joe Walsh-style electric guitars and dramatic organ on ‘Pagan Run’ might even be a challenge for those who have always seen him as the patron saint of acoustic poetry-rock. Whatever, King Of A Land is an engaging album par excellence, with elements of joy and optimism, and maybe a little regret, as it shoots in different musical directions.

The title track is a song of good intentions, though it might reference Britain’s newly-crowned monarch, seen through Muslim sensibilities. ‘Train On A Hill’ is an imposing creation about choices, with Stevens’ voice set amid harpsichord, guitar, brass and concertina.

Elsewhere, there’s the panoramic orchestral sweep of the celebratory ‘How Good It Feels’, while ‘He Is True’ is more traditional, guitar-based folk-pop. There’s a touch of Phil Spector gospel drama about ‘Highness’, and ‘All Nights, All Days’ nods to jangly-guitar folk-rock.

Listeners may struggle to set aside some of Stevens’ past views, but those who can should expect a welcome return to form.

9/10