What does In the Blue Light sound like?

A reflective blend of folk and world music, weaving introspective narratives with Simon's signature melodic sensibility. Rooted in folk rock and soft rock. Start with "One Man’s Ceiling Is Another Man’s Floor".

Is In the Blue Light a good place to start with Paul Simon?

Yes, In the Blue Light is recommended as a starting point for new Paul Simon listeners. A reflective blend of folk and world music, weaving introspective narratives with Simon's signature melodic sensibility. By the release of In the Blue Light in 2018, Paul Simon was nearing the end of his illustrious career, having announced his retirement from touring a year prior. This album, which reinterprets songs from his earlier works, serves as both a retrospective and an artistic statement as he embraces new arrangements and collaborations.

Who is In the Blue Light for?

In the Blue Light works well if you're into steady reflective listening experience, intricate arrangements for detail hunting and mid-tempo flow for easy engagement.

How many songs are on In the Blue Light?

In the Blue Light has 10 tracks, running approximately 43 minutes.

In the Blue Light

Paul Simon · 2018

43 min · 10 tracks · folk rock

A reflective blend of folk and world music, weaving introspective narratives with Simon's signature melodic sensibility.

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Top tracks — play these first

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One Man’s Ceiling Is Another Man’s Floor Start here — This track opens the album with its intricate rhythms and poignant lyrics, establishing the reflective tone that permeates the record. Its exploration of perspective sets the stage for Simon's thematic depth throughout.
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How the Heart Approaches What It Yearns — A beautifully arranged piece that showcases Simon's lyrical prowess, this song examines desire and longing through rich imagery and emotional resonance. Its orchestration elevates the lyrical content to new heights.
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René and Georgette Magritte With Their Dog After the War — Reimagined on this album, this track stands out for its whimsical yet profound storytelling, combining personal history with surrealist influences. The delicate instrumentation enhances the nostalgic quality of the lyrics.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album reinterprets earlier works with fresh arrangements, showcasing Simon's craftsmanship in songwriting and production.

What we noticed

The album features reinterpretations of earlier songs, often altering their arrangements and instrumentation to create a fresh perspective.
Several tracks incorporate world music elements, such as varied percussion and non-Western scales, which enrich the folk rock foundation.
The sequencing begins with more upbeat tracks before transitioning into slower, reflective pieces, creating a dynamic emotional arc.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady reflective listening experience
intricate arrangements for detail hunting
mid-tempo flow for easy engagement
thoughtful storytelling throughout album

Maybe skip if you

seeking instant gratification tracks
prefer upbeat party anthems

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Showcases continued creativity and relevance near the end of Simon's career.
Themes: nostalgic reimagining· post-war reflection· personal social commentary
Career context: By the release of In the Blue Light in 2018, Paul Simon was nearing the end of his illustrious career, having announced his retirement from touring a year prior. This album, which reinterprets songs from his earlier works, serves as both a retrospective and an artistic statement as he embraces new arrangements and collaborations.
Stylistic neighbors: James Taylor· Cat Stevens· Nick Drake