For the most part surprise albums are always welcome and make an instant impact.

But when Los Angeles quartet Weezer decide to drop an entire album of covers, it makes you realise that is the album you have been waiting for that you didn’t know you wanted.

Think back to May 2018, when the band finally buckled to the demand called on from fans to cover Toto’s ‘Africa’. Well the band obviously took that concept and ran with it.

What has been produced is just short of perfection.

Being someone that grew up in the 90s, surrounded by my parent’s music on the 1980s mixed in with some pop hits of the time, the new album, titled ‘The Teal Album’ presses all the nostalgic buttons in the right place.

The 10-track record opens with the aforementioned ‘Africa’ which Weezer fans have already become very familiar with.

But it is the four-pieces renditions of Tears for Fears’ ‘Everybody Wants to Rule the World’ that showcases just how vast the bands talents are. Vocalist River Cuomo does a great job of doing justice to Roland Orzabal’s vocal styling.

If these opening titbits were enough to whet your appetite, then the synth led ‘Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)’ and ‘Take on Me’ prove that Weezer can put their mind to anything and make it sound great, yet still staying on brand.

Taking on Black Sabbath’s ‘Paranoid’ and Michael Jackson’s ‘Billie Jean’ on the same album may be a brave decision for some, but Weezer do it without even batting and eyelash.

Closing out with an absolutely beautiful version of ‘Stand by Me’ the band put the perfect blend of rock and soul into the song.

As the weather is starting to get colder, Weezer have truly warmed the soul with this absolutely stunning album.

8.5/10