The last ELO album, Alone In The Universe, was their first in 14 years and only their second since 1986. By rights, Jeff Lynne shouldn’t be releasing another album until 2030. From Out Of Nowhere is a very appropriate title for a new LP by ELO (or Jeff Lynne’s ELO, as they’re legally obliged to call themselves). Its 10 songs sound exactly as you’d hope: optimistic, euphoric earworms that you’ll now wake up singing at random moments for the rest of your days. The melodies sound brilliantly simple but, as is the way with the best pop music, trying to make such precisely arranged songs sound so effortless can drive their creator mad.
“From Out Of Nowhere probably is quite quick for me,” acknowledges Lynne, speaking from his home in LA, where he’s lived for the past 25 years. “The title song of From Out Of Nowhere really did come to me from out of nowhere. The chord sequence came to me immediately, and it was one I’d never played before. So I knew it wasn’t an old idea I was repeating. Even the words came quickly. I love writing songs and when you’re in the mood, you’ve got to get on and do it. When I hit on an idea that makes me go, ‘Oh wow, I love that chord change! Cor, yeah!’, it’s one of my favourite things in the world.”