Paul Weller

Paul Weller started out fronting The Jam in the 1970s, a band from Woking, Surrey that put out sharp, urgent songs like "Going Underground" and "That's Entertainment." After The Jam ended, he formed The Style Council with keyboardist Mick Talbot, shifting toward a smoother, soul-inflected sound on albums like "Café Bleu." Later, as a solo artist, he wrote quieter, more reflective material such as "Wild Wood" and "You Do Something To Me." His writing has kept a straightforward, melodic touch across those different phases.

Weller has often been outspoken about politics and social issues, which has sometimes drawn criticism. In 2010, remarks he made about immigration were called insensitive by some. He hasn't backed away from stating his views, though, and has used his music to touch on those topics when he wants to. The songs themselves tend to speak plainly, without grand statements.

His catalog includes a handful of well-known solo tracks like "Sunflower," "Broken Stones," and "Thinking Of You," which have a settled, acoustic-driven feel. He's kept recording and playing live steadily, without much fuss about reinvention. The work just accumulates.