page_title: Paul Weller
section_title: Critical success (2008–present)
hierarchical_section_title: Paul Weller / Solo career / Critical success (2008–present)
caption_attribution_description: English: Paul Weller CIA Cardiff November 2008 Band lineup
context_page_description: Paul John Weller is an English singer-songwriter and musician. Weller achieved fame with the punk rock/new wave/mod revival band the Jam. He had further success with the blue-eyed soul music of the Style Council, before establishing himself as a solo artist with the album Paul Weller in 1992.
  Despite widespread critical recognition as a singer, lyricist, and guitarist, Weller has remained a national, rather than international, star and much of his songwriting is rooted in British culture. Many of his songs with the Jam had lyrics about working class life. He was the principal figure of the 1970s and 1980s mod revival, often referred to as "The Modfather", and an influence on Britpop bands such as Oasis.
  The Daily Telegraph said of Weller: "Apart from David Bowie, it's hard to think of any British solo artist who's had as varied, long-lasting and determinedly forward-looking a career." The BBC described Weller in 2007 as "one of the most revered music writers and performers of the past 30 years". In 2012, he was among the British cultural icons selected by artist Sir Peter Blake to appear in a new version of his most famous artwork – the Beatles' Sgt.
context_section_description: The double album 22 Dreams was released on 2 June 2008, with "Echoes Round The Sun" as the lead single. Weller had parted company with his existing band before the recording this album, replacing everyone except guitarist Steve Cradock with Andy Lewis on bass, Andy Crofts of The Moons on keys and Steve Pilgrim of The Stands on drums. This album saw Weller move in a more experimental direction, taking in a wide variety of influences including jazz, folk and tango as well as the pop-soul more associated with his Style Council days. Weller also featured on two songs from The Moons' album "Life on Earth", playing piano on "Wondering" and lead guitar on "Last Night on Earth".
  Weller was the surprise recipient of the 2009 BRIT award for "Best Male Solo Artist", which resulted in controversy when it was discovered that a suspiciously high number of bets had been placed for Weller to win the award, for which James Morrison was T4's favourite. It was reported that the bookmakers had lost £100,000 in the event, and that as a result would not be taking bets for the awards in the future.
  In 2009, Weller guested on Dot Allison's 2009 album, Room 7½, co-writing "Love's Got Me Crazy". November and December also saw him on tour, playing shows across the country.
  On 24 February 2010, Weller received the Godlike Genius Award at the NME Awards. His 2010 album, Wake Up the Nation,  was released in April to critical acclaim, and was subsequently nominated for the Mercury Music Prize. The album also marked his first collaboration with The Jam's bassist Bruce Foxton in 28 years. In May 2010, Weller was presented with the Ivor Novello Lifetime Achievement award, saying "I've enjoyed the last 33 years I've been writing songs and hopefully, with God's good grace, I'll do some more."
  On 8 November 2012, Weller announced that he would release the Dragonfly EP on 17 December 2012, a limited edition vinyl run of 3000 copies. 
  On 22 November 2011, Weller announced his eleventh studio album Sonik Kicks, which was released on 19 March 2012.
  Weller provided vocals on The Moons' 2012 single Something Soon. In December 2012, Weller headlined the Crisis charity gig at the Hammersmith Apollo, where he performed with Emeli Sande, Miles Kane and Bradley Wiggins. On 23 March 2013, Paul Weller played drums on stage with Damon Albarn, Noel Gallagher and Graham Coxon, playing the Blur track "Tender". This was played as part of the Teenage Cancer Trust concerts curated by Noel Gallagher.
  In 2014, Weller wrote "Let Me In" for Olly Murs's fourth album Never Been Better.
  In May 2015, Weller revealed dates for a West Coast Tour of the US to promote the Saturn's Pattern album. The tour was scheduled to run from 9 June to 9 October.
  In January 2017 he made a cameo appearance in "The Final Problem", the final episode of series four of the BBC TV series Sherlock.
  In January 2019, Weller announced the 8 March 2019 audio and video release of Other Aspects, Live At The Royal Festival Hall.  It's the second of two shows and was recorded in October 2018 at London's Royal Festival Hall with an orchestra.
  Weller's most recent solo album, entitled "On Sunset", was released 3 July 2020, and rapidly reached the  #1 slot on the UK album charts.  
  Due to his latest success, Weller has #1 UK albums spanning 5 consecutive decades.  He joins artists John Lennon and Paul McCartney in having the distinction.  His #1 albums:  The Gift, 1982 (The Jam).  Our Favourite Shop, 1985 (The Style Council), and solo albums: Stanley Road (1995), Illumination (2002), 22 Dreams (2008), Sonik Kicks (2012), and On Sunset (2020).
caption: Weller and band line-up in Cardiff in 2008
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