Songs for the planet

In his long-awaited new solo album, Brian Eno shares his concern for the environment.

FOREVERANDEVERNOMORE, by Brian Eno

It has been 17 years since the famously self-described “non-musician” Brian Eno – who first came to attention in Roxy Music in the early 70s before becoming a producer to Bowie, Talking Heads, U2 and Coldplay – offered a solo album with vocals. And although this is certainly that (eight songs and one instrumental, the beautiful Inclusion), it is, as is so often the case with Eno, the sonic landscape he creates that seduces.

Here are echoes of his gorgeously weightless, instrumental ambient works, as heard on such albums as Music for Films (1978) and the more recent Music for Installations (2018), with translucent synth passages, allusions to his marvellous Apollo album (1983) and stately piano chords.