"Find El Dorado": one more cover album by Paul Weller

In the opening scene of the classic British TV show Budgie, Adam Faith’s character, Ronald ‘Budgie’ Bird, steals a briefcase full of cash — only to trip and lose the money, in a scene reminiscent of Stanley Kubrick’s The Killing. The tone is set by the theme song Nobody’s Fool, written by Ray Davies, which underscores Budgie’s hapless persona with mournful lyrics and a melancholic melody. The show, fondly remembered by musician Paul Weller, encapsulates a gritty, emotionally raw 1970s aesthetic — an influence he draws from for his new covers album, Find El Dorado.

Weller’s Find El Dorado reflects themes of loss, vulnerability, and nostalgia. Unlike his earlier covers album Studio 150, which felt stiff and conventional, this new release takes unexpected and offbeat paths. Weller chooses obscure or underappreciated tracks from artists like Brian Protheroe and Ray Davies, crafting sparse, moody arrangements that feel both intimate and worn — evoking the atmosphere of a smoky social club from the early ’70s. The album is filled with quiet yearning and the bittersweet resignation of voices long ignored.

Collaborations on the album are carefully chosen and never overpower the songs. Artists like Declan O’Rourke, Noel Gallagher, and Seckou Keita contribute in subtle ways, enhancing rather than distracting from Weller’s interpretations. Particularly notable is the addition of Keita’s kora on Journey, which Weller describes as letting a breeze in through an open window. These guest appearances add texture and variety, without shifting the focus away from the songs' emotional core.

Overall, Find El Dorado defies the low expectations typically associated with covers albums. It’s not a stopgap or contractual filler, but a fully realized work that showcases Weller’s ability to reimagine songs with soul and personality. From obscure Afro-French R&B to outsider funk, Weller curates a collection that celebrates music for its emotional truth, not its popularity — proving that even covers can be personal, bold, and deeply affecting statements of artistry.