The former Beatles drummer, Sir Ringo Starr, is following up his 2025 album, ‘Look Up’, which marked his first number one in the UK charts in the country category. The Liverpool born artist was said to be “blessed to have T Bone (Burnett) in his life”, before following up his intentions for the new album: “After we did the last record, which I love listening to, this one just sort of happened.”

Whilst, the legendary rock star has a past in a indie, pop-rock and psychedelia genres from his time in The Beatles, he has taken a solo route to the country genre. His solo endeavours started in 1970, right after the split of The Beatles, and he has successfully been releasing popular streams of music since. Starr, born Richard Starkey, laid down all of the songs of his new album across different studios in America, including Nashville and Los Angeles.

The album embraces a “traditional Nashville sound”, exploring the texas-style of his distinctive drumming, giving way to a revitalised honky-tonk country sound, that appeals to mainstream audiences through a polished pop sound.

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Many have enjoyed the the record with one fan stating: “Choose Love’ is definitely one that caught my ear. Sounds like some of the india-era Beatles songs.” Bringing nostalgia into the tracks has definitely blasted a few to the past, and its paying off.

Though, some have issues with the sound, with complaints over the effort in branding and vanilla songs.

One fan admitted: “I just can’t help but feel like everything from Ringo continues to be late 1980’s early 90’s country pop (and not the fun catchy type). It all just sounds like bad karaoke bar tracks.”

Another responded, in response to the lack of passion that seems to be found for an ex-Beatles member: “What’s with these low effort front covers for the recent ex-Beatles albums, come on boys at least hire an artist of some kind.”

With mixed emotions, the first day of the release of ‘Long, Long Road’, seems to be creating conversations, the future for the album’s love and critiques has only just started. With the release, Starr will be taking the new music on the road with him, when he starts a US tour with his All Starr Band that starts in May 2026.

Born Richard Starkey, Starr has been a monumental figure in British music since joining The Beatles in 1962. Although best known for his work behind the kit for The Beatles, Sir Ringo, now 85 years old, has forged an incredibly successful solo drummer-singer-songwriter career, releasing 21 studio albums and 54 singles since the band split in 1970. Previously added alongside the rest of the “Fab Four” as a group, he was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as an individual in 2015 for “Musical Excellence”, and in 2018 he was knighted by Prince William for services to music. Since 1989 he’s toured the globe with his All-Starr Band, a supergroup with a rotating roster of rock’s finest artists, including Toto’s Steve Lukather, Joe Walsh of Eagles, and on occasion his son, fellow drummer Zak Starkey.

After announcing he was moving away from full-length albums to more concentrated EPs in 2021, he released his first LP since 2019 in January last year. ‘Look Up’ marked a shift in sound towards country music, due to Starr beginning a partnership with American writer and producer T Bone Burnett. Formerly a guitarist for Bob Dylan, Burnett’s work on film scores have bestowed upon him an astonishing 13 Grammy Awards from his Americana and roots soundtracks on movies including Cold Mountain and country music-oriented Crazy Heart. Crazy Heart also won him both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe. Sir Ringo is quoted by the BBC as saying “I’m blessed to have T-Bone in my life right now and working with me on these records.”

The first single from his new project released yesterday, Tuesday the 3rd of March. Titled ‘It’s Been Too Long’, the track is a groovy little number, rolling along with Sir Ringo’s drumming and singing. The overall template is very Beatles-adjacent, but made distinct by the twanging country guitars and the female backing vocals. Guest features are provided by country artists Molly Tuttle and Sarah Jarosz.

Also confirmed to be on the album ‘Long Long Road’ is a cover of guitarist Carl Perkins’ 1959 song ‘I Don’t See Me In Your Eyes Anymore’. Nicknamed “The King of Rockabilly”, The Beatles had previously covered three of Perkins’ songs, with Starr himself singing on their versions of ‘Honey Don’t’ and ‘Matchbox’. Sir Ringo explained that Perkins’ influence is felt throughout the record, saying “I recorded two Carl Perkins songs with The Beatles, and both T Bone and I wanted one on this record and he found this beautiful track I’d never heard before, ‘I Don’t See Me In Your Eyes Anymore’.

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The full album ‘Long Long Road’ will release on label Universal Music Enterprises on the 24th of April, with a cast of extras including Sheryl Crow, St. Vincent, and Billy Strings. You can check single ‘It’s Been Too Long’ on Sir Ringo’s official Youtube channel, and pre-order physical versions or pre-save the album on streaming platforms here. See below for the full track listing:

1. Returning Without Tears
2. Baby Don’t Go
3. I Don’t See Me In Your Eyes Anymore
4. It’s Been Too Long
5. Why
6. You and I (Wave of Love)
7. My Baby Don’t Want Nothing
8. Choose Love
9. She’s Gone
10. Long Long Road

The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event, directed by Sam Mendes.

Harris Dickinson (John Lennon)
Paul Mescal (Paul McCartney)
Barry Keoghan (Ringo Starr)
Joseph Quinn (George Harrison)

In theatres April 2028. #TheBeatlesFourFilmCinematicEvent pic.twitter.com/mREL0nPcfC

— Sony Pictures (@SonyPictures) April 1, 2025

The ensemble cast was presented on stage by Mendes, with a projection of who would be playing who on a screen behind them. Paul Mescal, who recently starred in Gladiator II, will play Paul McCartney, and Joseph Quinn will play George Harrison, as previously reported earlier this year. Barry Keoghan, who shot to fame in 2023’s Saltburn, and later as the partner of Sabrina Carpenter, will play Ringo Starr, and Harris Dickinson will play John Lennon in what is likely to be his biggest role to date.   

These castings won’t come as a surprise to anyone who has taken an interest in the rumours and clues that have come out since the four films were announced in February 2024. DEADLINE reported the lineup back in December, drawing from details and gossip around the four actors. Ridley Scott, Mescal’s director on Gladiator II, accidentally revealed the 29-year old’s involvement in a Q&A, Ringo Starr shared that Keoghan had taken drumming lessons, Dickinson refused to rule out playing Lennon, and Quinn dropped out of Bret Easton Ellis’ Relapse citing scheduling conflicts.

As part of the 2024 announcement, Mendes said he was “excited to challenge the notion of what constitutes a trip to the movies,” and his exciting approach to the challenge has received the blessing of McCartney and Starr, as well as the families of Lennon and Harrison.  

The announcement was made at 8pm Las Vegas time, or 4am in the UK, leading some to question whether it was an April Fool’s Day joke. The disbelief surrounds the appearance of the four actors, with critics questioning if they look enough like their real-life counterparts to be convincing. Others noticed the resemblance between the promotional shot of the newly-announced cast, and an image of The Beatles taken at one of their final photoshoots.

First look at ‘THE BEATLES’ cast together.

Liam Gallagher as John Lennon
Paul McCartney (Old) as Paul McCartney
Squeaky as Ringo Starr
Yellow Yoshi as George Harrison pic.twitter.com/7fUA4LIgDR

— marybeth (@60minonacid) April 1, 2025

Discussing the ambitious nature of the project, Mendes said: “Frankly, we need big cinematic events to get people out of the house. There had to be a way to tell the epic story for a new generation, and I can assure you there is still plenty left to explore and I think we found a way to do that.” Mendes also used his CinemaCon appearance to elaborate on the release schedule, saying that all four films would be released “in proximity” of each other. 

Often cited as the most influential band of all time, any previous biopics on the group have felt half baked. Mendes’ approach will allow room for each Beatle to be explored, both as musicians and people, and the resulting films will be a treat for audiophiles and cinephiles alike.

The last year has seen a revival of country music into British consciousness, with Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ topping the charts upon its release, earning ‘TEXAS HOLD ‘EM’ (the LP’s lead single) a nomination for ‘International Song of the Year’ at this year’s BRITs. This year alone has witnessed Beatles legend Ringo Starr return to country for the first time since 1970 with his album ‘Look Up’ and country-pop girlband, Remember Monday, lead the race in this year’s speculation surrounding the UK’s Eurovision entry.

Over a month since UK Americana Music Week 2025 was hosted in Hackney, the introduction of UK-Country Music Association has arrived at the perfect time for country fans and enthusiasts across the UK. The new organisation promises to work in accordance with the UK’s music market, and alongside other prominent organisations, including: the British Country Music Association (BCMA) and the Americana Music Association (AMA-UK) to effectively create a space for country music within the mainstream scene.

Having the interests of musicians, artists and industry professionals at the forefront, John Finch, Chair of UK-CMA has said: “We are fighting the cause for the UK country music industry… When it comes to the UK country scene, it is artists from the US that dominate the limelight. American artists get all the plaudits! The UK Country Radio Airplay Chart is packed with Nashville artists but rarely includes any UK-based acts.”

He continued: “UK acts are as good as, and in some cases better than, many of their US counterparts. We believe that greater awareness of the UK scene, especially in other markets like the US, Canada, and Australia, will propel more tracks by UK artists into key playlists, which will increase streaming consumption and ticket sales.”

country music representating the UK, finally!!!!’ https://t.co/p7gmcBPnB1

— georgia (@ge0rgiastars) February 4, 2025

Finch’s thoughts follow multiple reports that country music’s popularity has propelled in the UK. Last May, IQ Live Music Intelligence revealed the streaming of country music had increased exponentially and had “grown by 380% in the past five years”, with one in every 100 streamed tracks being a country song. The Economist furthered the report in August, adding that country overtook easy-listening within the UK’s top 5 of most popular genres.

Planning to support over 2000 artists, musicians and industry professionals who wish to make country music their career, the UK-CMA have four main objectives within their mandate.

• Promoting UK artist’s and their music to the media in the UK and abroad.
• Aid artists to form alliances with other prominent country music communities throughout those in mainland Europe, Scandinavia, Canada, Australasia and the US.
• Develop existing talent by fostering collaboration and equipping artists with accessible opportunities to improve songwriting and live performance.
• Unite the UK’s country music scene.

With four bold aims ahead of their commencement in March, the UK-CMA have a lot of potential in contributing to the continued revival and popularity of country music within the near future.

The album, produced by T Bone Burnett, features 11 original songs, and collaborations with country artists such as Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle, and sister duo Larkin Poe. With Burnett’s extensive roots in the American country scene, ‘Look Up’ aims to recapture a more traditional sound, harking back to the artists that inspired Beatles’ hits such as ‘Act Naturally’ and ‘Don’t Pass Me By’. “Country music became pop with a pedal steel,” Starr explained when interviewed by the Associated Press last month. 

The album’s creative journey began with a single track from Burnett, which then formed the basis of an EP, before eventually expanding to a full-length album. “I love that you can take a right turn, and it turns into a really good couple of days,” Starr said.

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Honouring the home of country and western music, Starr will perform two shows at the Ryman Auditorium on January 15 and 16. He teased the upcoming performances on Instagram with a photo of the white Stetson hat from the ‘Look Up’ album cover perched on a fence outside the venue. 

While Starr’s fans have shown enthusiasm for his country pivot, wider reactions to the album have been mixed. On the Beatles subreddit, some described Starr’s voice as a “natural fit” for the genre. In contrast, the r/CountryMusicStuff subreddit expressed less enthusiasm, with one user commenting that the album’s features “aren’t enough to stop it from falling flat.”

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Critics have also offered praise without falling into ex-Beatle sycophancy. The Telegraph awarded the album three stars, while Rolling Stone’s Rob Sheffield gave it three and a half, saying, “‘Look Up’ is the sound of Ringo being himself, the least jaded rock star in the universe, which is exactly what we want from this wise old sage.”

Supported by two singles in 2024—’Time On My Hands’, released in October, and ‘Thankful’, released in November—’Look Up’ also includes a music video for its title track, which Starr promoted on Instagram. Despite the album’s new material, Starr has yet to perform any songs from ‘Look Up’ live, making the Nashville shows that bit more exciting for fans, with tickets available here.

While doing interviews to promote the new album, Starr used the opportunity to warn artists, listeners, and those in government, about the danger posed by AI in music. This comes amid the UK Government’s own issues surrounding copyright and AI data mining, and has been addressed by fellow Beatle Paul McCartney too.

With ‘Look Up’, Starr embraces a genre that first inspired him decades ago. Whether lauded or critiqued, the album is a testament to the King of Peace and Love’s energy and spirit at 84.

Introduced by Paul, Ringo walked onstage to a roaring crowd, before the two Beatles performed their old hits “Helter Skelter” and “Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”. After playing through the two songs, he bid farewell to the audience, saying “I’ve had a great night and I love you all.”

Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood also made a guest appearance, joining McCartney for a performance of “Get Back”, with the Beatles bassist playing his original Hofner 500/1 guitar for the first time in over 50 years.

Sir Paul’s tour has treated fans to a packed setlist of nearly 40 songs, including tunes from his first band with John Lennon and George Harrison, The Quarrymen, classics from the many eras of The Beatles, and a few numbers from Wings as well as some solo material.

He gave the O2 crowd members another musical reunion, in an emotional rendition of what’s been branded the Beatles final song, “Now and Then”. With a backing of John’s vocals, he sang and played the piano, harmonizing with the late rock and roll hero.

The soft ballad was created with the help of AI technology, using stem separation to isolate Lennon’s voice and piano from a home recording made in 1977. Both McCartney and Starr have spoken in favour of their use of AI to clean up Lennon’s performance, with the Fab Four drummer saying saying, “The good side is the way we used it,” but sharing concerns about its possibilities for imitation: “Anyone who knows how to use it can steal you. If they just play any five of my songs into the computer, AI gets all of it… They can have me sing anything and it will sound like me.”  

McCartney has recently joined a campaign with other musicians like Kate Bush and Thom Yorke to petition against the unauthorized use of their work to train generative AI systems.

The Liverpudlian legend recently issued a statement ahead of a parliament debate over amending its data bill to let artists exclude their work from AI training data. He warned that AI “could just take over, and we don’t want that to happen, particularly for the young composers and writers, for who it may be the only way they’re gonna make a career.”

The “Got Back” tour itself has been given rave reviews, with The Guardian calling it “extraordinarily sublime and humblingly beautiful”, and Metro hailing it as “three hours of Beatles, Wings and Macca magic”.

Also featured in his lengthy setlist was his holiday hit “Wonderful Christmastime”. A rarity at concerts, McCartney has been performing the seasonal solo tune on his tour alongside a children’s choir and elf-dressed percussionists to set the festive feeling, with fake snow falling during the performance.

Macca has seen Top 40 success recently, with “Wonderful Christmastime” re-entering the charts, as well as other winter anthems, with “Last Christmas” by Wham currently sitting at the number one spot. Read our recent article here revisiting the Christmas classics that dominate our charts and the elements of nostalgia and musicality that make them endure throughout the years.

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His last foray into the genre, 1970’s Beaucoups of Blues, didn’t break records, peaking at 65 on the US Billboard 200 chart and failing to chart in the UK. Still, the album was praised for its authenticity, with some comparing it to Bob Dylan’s Nashville Skyline.  

Ringo’s latest effort, called Look Up, continues that tradition. The first single, ‘Time On My Hands’, features the unmistakable twang of a pedal steel, capturing the wistful melancholy of classic country ballads. Chris Farlie of W21Music even likened Ringo’s vocals on the track to those of Willie Nelson, praising the relaxed and joyful energy that Starr brings.

Speaking about the album, Starr shared: “I’ve always loved country music. When I asked T Bone to write me a song, I didn’t even think it would be a country song – but of course, it was, and it was so beautiful. I had been making EPs at the time, so I thought we’d do a country EP. But when he brought me nine songs, I knew we had to make an album!”   

Starr worked with producer T Bone Burnett, who praised Ringo’s talent and his monumental impact on music: “He changed the way every drummer after him played… none of the work I’ve done through a long life in music would have happened if not for him and his band.”

While promoting the album, Starr also touched on the Beatles’ latest release, ‘Now and Then’, a song completed using AI technology to separate John Lennon’s vocals from an old cassette demo. Like Paul McCartney, Ringo sees both the benefits and risks of AI in music. He praised its role in ‘Now and Then’, saying, “The good side is the way we used it,” but expressed concerns about its darker possibilities: “Anyone who knows how to use it can steal you. If they just play any five of my songs into the computer, AI gets all of it… They can have me sing anything and it will sound like me.”  

This anxiety echoes McCartney’s comments last week about the potential of AI to undermine young musicians’ careers. McCartney warned that unchecked AI could “wipe out” opportunities for emerging artists, an idea Ringo seems to share, especially as the technology becomes more sophisticated, and its emulations become more and more convincing.

Imagine if the genius of Paul McCartney and The Beatles was re-created by Artificial Intelligence without their permission. It sounds like a dystopian nightmare, but now even McCartney is ringing alarm bells about AI theft of creative content. #StopAIthefthttps://t.co/vc047eGguQ

— MEAA (@withMEAA) December 10, 2024

The discussion of AI comes amid broader industry discussions. In the past month, McCartney, Kate Bush, Thom Yorke, and others signed a petition urging protections against AI models being trained on copyrighted material without consent. 

Despite the growing uncertainty around AI, Starr’s upcoming album promises to showcase the joy and authenticity he’s brought to music for decades. Based on the singles released so far, it feels like a love letter to country music—a genre built on human storytelling, something even the best AI can’t replicate.

Look Up will be released on January 11, 2025, and is available to pre-save now on Spotify.

Set against a backdrop of a changing America—marked by racial tensions, the nuclear threat, and the aftermath of JFK’s assassination—the documentary opens with a powerful juxtaposition. A rousing JFK speech about victory cuts abruptly to sombre footage of his funeral and the aftermath, situating The Beatles’ arrival as a moment of relief for a nation in mourning.

Their 14-day US trip overwhelmed both fans and the press. Camera crews struggled to keep up with the frenzy, and reporters were swept up in the chaos, abandoning interviews to chase shots of the band. Girls outside hotels held placards proclaiming, “Elvis is dead. Long live The Beatles,” while Vickie Brenna-Costa, one of the screaming fans at the Plaza Hotel, recalls, “We couldn’t contain ourselves, it was a natural reaction.”

Directed by David Tedeschi and produced by Martin Scorsese, the documentary captures the band’s novelty in America, with footage of the Fab Four cramped in hotel rooms, surrounded by cameras, smoking and flipping through magazines. Their famed working-class humor charmed the American press, even if some cultural nuances were lost in translation. George Harrison’s later reflections underscore this, describing Liverpool as a place where “everyone’s a comedian.” He adds, “Go through the Mersey Tunnel, and the man at the toll will be a comedian.” 

See The Beatles like never before.
Beatles ‘64 is NOW STREAMING, only on #DisneyPlus.#Beatles64 @johnlennon @PaulMcCartney @GeorgeHarrison @ringostarrmusic pic.twitter.com/CNnDNipwHG

— The Beatles (@thebeatles) November 29, 2024

Paul McCartney’s present-day reflections provide some of the documentary’s most touching moments. At his photography exhibit ‘1963-64: Eyes of the Storm’, he gestures to photos of fans behind wooden barriers, saying, “America to us was the land of freedom. It’s funny because when we got there, we learned that wasn’t quite the story.”  

Another poignant moment comes from an interview on the train from New York to Washington, where a reporter asks McCartney, “What place will the story of The Beatles have in Western culture?” McCartney laughs, brushing off the question: “You must be kidding with that question. Culture? It’s not culture.” When pressed, he offers a typically understated answer: “It’s a good laugh.” Decades later, this remark feels both modest and prescient, as the band’s cultural legacy remains undeniable.

@Apple Corps, Ltd.

  The film also explores the emotional connection fans had with The Beatles, which went beyond mere admiration. The screaming, the placards, and the devotion weren’t just mania; they were expressions of a deeply personal connection. Author Joe Queenan becomes emotional when discussing hearing them for the first time, sitting alongside his sister at the radio.   

Ringo Starr recalls the trip as the moment he felt the band had truly “made it,” exclaiming, “We were here! America! New York!” But for John Lennon, the craziness had darker undertones. Photographer Harry Benson recounts Lennon’s unease about the violence in America, amplified by JFK’s assassination, and how he was worried about how fast a good situation could turn bad.

 

 

 

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Amidst the frenzy, the band maintained a sense of playfulness. One clip shows Lennon casually playing with a melodica in a hotel room, unknowingly crafting the intro to ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’, a song which would be released three years later.

Fans have shared their opinions of the documentary, with many praising its ability to place the footage within the worlds of so many people. From the reporters to the fans, and even the band, the documentary covers a variety of angles, with interviews with figures like filmmaker David Lynch, and musician Ronald Isley, who the Beatles covered with their version of ‘Twist and Shout’

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The documentary is neatly divided, with their iconic ‘Ed Sullivan Show’ appearance as the halfway mark. Contextualising their fame, clips of philosopher Marshall McLuhan and composer Leonard Bernstein highlight the bands role as the first “TV band” and the musical complexity that won over critics and fans.

The film ends poignantly with Lennon’s reflection: “The Beatles didn’t lead anything. We were in the crow’s nest of a ship sailing to a new world, and we just said, ‘Land ahoy.’”

Released two days ago, the trailer features a clip of the band traveling by train, departing Washington, D.C. In the scene, John Lennon questions whether they need to perform for the cameras. A touching moment follows, as Lennon and George Harrison inspect each other’s suit jackets—identical in design—before swapping them and Harrison humorously shouting, “Cut!”

This trailer, combined with the more personal moments featured in earlier previews, suggests the documentary will offer a closer look at the camaraderie and humour that defined the band during their early years.

The Beatles ‘64’ takes viewers back to the band’s first trip to the United States, where Beatlemania took hold almost overnight. This documentary dives into that transformative period, combining rare archival footage, captured by the late Albert and David Maysles, and new commentary to explore their impact on music, culture, and race relations in a rapidly changing America.

@Apple Corps, Ltd.

The documentary is directed by David Tedeschi and produced by Martin Scorsese, marking another collaboration between the two . While Scorsese is a producer here, he has previously directed music documentaries on Bob Dylan (‘No Direction Home’) and George Harrison (‘Living in the Material World’), both of which were praised by fans of the artists.

The film premiered in New York City on Sunday (November 24), attended by Tedeschi, Scorsese and Paul McCartney. Fans were shocked to see him in attendance, with the musician recently touring his ‘Got Back’ show around South and Central America. His last date in the Americas was in Mexico City on November 17, and he is set to continue the tour in Europe, with UK dates in Manchester and London.

The Beatles’ debut on The Ed Sullivan Show in February 1964 catapulted them to fame, drawing over 73 million viewers. Shortly after, they made music history by occupying the top five spots on the Billboard Hot 100 with hits like ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ and ‘She Loves You’.

On February 9, 1964, Ed Sullivan introduced American television to The Beatles Tune in all week long as we celebrate this landmark moment in history! #BeatlesWeek pic.twitter.com/Fs84cONSRi

— The Ed Sullivan Show (@EdSullivanShow) February 1, 2024

Paul McCartney shared a lighthearted story about ‘She Loves You’, recalling how his father once suggested swapping the famous “yeah, yeah, yeah” refrain for “yes, yes, yes” to sound less American.This playful anecdote contrasts with the band’s early rebellious image, which made them a sensation among a young audience craving something fresh.

The documentary also highlights The Beatles’ influence on a racially divided America. Smokey Robinson reflects on the unifying power of their music, stating, “The saving grace was the music, because it gave [black and white kids] something they both loved and enjoyed.” Ronnie Spector recounts sneaking the band into a Harlem restaurant to avoid recognition.

 

 

 

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These personal moments align with the behind-the-scenes footage teased in trailers, capturing the Beatles’ dynamic as bandmates and friends. The project will aim to balance these candid glimpses with their rapid rise to global superstardom, exploring the pressures of fame and the loss of personal freedoms they faced.

‘The Beatles ’64’ promises to deliver an intimate portrait of the band’s most transformative year. The documentary premieres this Friday, November 29 on Disney+.

In a statement released to the press, Starr’s representative confirmed the news, urging fans to seek refunds at their point of purchase. “As always, Ringo and the All Starrs send peace and love to their fans and hope to see them soon,” the statement concluded. This sentiment was echoed in a social media post, where Starr expressed his gratitude to the audiences who had attended the earlier shows of the tour.

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The tour, which kicked off on September 7 in San Diego, saw Starr and his band perform ten shows before the illness struck. Just days before the cancellation, Starr had shared highlights from the tour on social media, thanking fans for their support and expressing his love for the audiences. Despite this setback, Starr remains active in the music scene. In October 2023, he released a four-track EP titled Rewind Forward. The project, which reflects on the theme of moving forward despite life’s challenges, was well-received by fans and critics alike. “It’s all about going forward. It’s just the fact that sometimes we all get stuck and have to fight your way out,” Starr explained in an interview with Billboard.

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Earlier this year, Starr collaborated with The Strokes’ guitarist Nick Valensi on another EP, Crooked Boy. Initially released on exclusive vinyl for Record Store Day, the EP later became available on streaming platforms. Co-written with Linda Perry, the EP features tracks like “Gonna Need Someone,” which Starr described as a rocker he specifically requested from Perry. “I love what Linda did and I think all the songs are great, but one thing I did ask her was to write me a rocker,” Starr said to NME. “Nick Valensi plays guitars on it — and on all of the EP — and he is great.”

Looking ahead, Starr is also working on a full country project with renowned producer T Bone Burnett. Over the summer, he shared his excitement about the project, particularly praising a song Burnett wrote for him. “It’s absolutely one of the most beautiful country songs I ever heard. So, I thought, ‘I’m going to do a country EP’,” Starr revealed.

In addition to his musical endeavours, Starr recently gave his approval to the newly restored Let It Be documentary, despite his earlier reservations about the film’s portrayal of The Beatles’ final days.