Driven

In the decades after his mid-70s commercial peak, Irish singer/songwriter Gilbert OSullivan maintained a prodigious output of well-written, quirky piano pop records, somehow sticking it out long enough to enjoy a career renaissance with his self-titled 2018 album. More than just a pop survivor, OSullivan is a consummate craftsman whose devotion to clever, melodic songwriting has kept his hearth fire burning even during the leanest years. He never stopped writing good songs, but the combination of Ethan Johns warm production, a focused crop of tunes, and a bit of luck helped Gilbert OSullivan hit number 20 in the U.K., a remarkable feat given the singers 44-year absence from that same chart. His 2022 follow-up Driven is, if anything, an even better record. At age 75, OSullivan sounds half his age, delivering sharp-witted rockers like "Love Casualty" and "You Cant Say I Didnt Try" with infectious energy and zeal. Produced this time by Andy Wright (Simply Red, Simple Minds), Driven retains some of the fuzzy, laid-back 70s charm that characterized his 2018 set while also harking back to the tasteful soft rock orchestrations of his heyday, especially on standouts like the marvelous "Blue Anchor Bay" and the piano-and-strings ballad "If Only Love Had Ears." Driven also benefits from an inviting group energy with lively backing vocal interactions, a nimble rhythm section, and scintillating guitar leads. OSullivans resurgence is unique in that its less a comeback than a spotlight returning to a work in progress. He sounds joyful and relaxed with none of the desperation of trying to maintain an unexpected late-career high. Its more as if we simply caught him doing his thing at a particularly good moment. ~ Timothy Monger