Yusuf
is a talented singer and songwriter with an interesting past -- in the 1960s and '70s he was the internationally famous pop singer
Cat Stevens
, whose thoughtful, soulful songs often had a spiritual bent. After the release of his 1978 album
Back to Earth
,
Stevens
walked away from his career in music, embracing the Muslim faith and taking the name
Yusuf Islam
. In 2006, he released the album
An Other Cup
, credited to
, that found him gingerly easing back into the folk-influenced pop that made him famous, and since then,
has been making music that aims to strike a balance between the musical personality of his most famous work, his present-day spiritual focus, and his dreams of a more just, peaceful, and generous world. In terms of this match of form and content, 2023's
King of a Land
may be the best album
has delivered since returning to popular music (and like his last several releases, it's credited to
/
, suggesting he's at peace with his musical past while wanting to remind us he's not exactly the man he used to be). Working with
Paul Samwell-Smith
, who produced the bulk of his '70s work, on
writes melodies that are more artful than his best-known hits but have a very recognizable warmth, and a mood that finds room for both joy and gravity. The lyrics are open in their devotion to God and our shared need for a more merciful world. The album's artwork features illustrations by
Peter H. Reynolds
, portraying a young boy in situations that match the stories and themes of the songs, and many of the tunes feel like fables for young and old, songs whose messages are clear but express their lessons with a gentle touch that doesn't feel doctrinaire or judgmental. (Significantly, "Son of Mary" is a compact retelling of the life of Jesus, subtly but firmly affirming that we all worship the same God).
is not quite pop-folk in the way "Peace Train" or "Moonshadow" were, yet the music is engaging and seems intended to soothe a troubled spirit. Though
's voice is just a bit sandy around the edges compared to his salad days, his performances are passionate without histrionics and with wisdom he wants to share with all those willing to listen. It's a well-crafted and often moving album that mixes a bit of
' sound with
's heart and soul, and it honors both with skill and sincerity. ~ Mark Deming