Randy Newman – Dark Matter review: A state-of-America record

Here's something for those who treasure Randy Newman the sardonic genius behind classics such as Sail Away (1972), as opposed to Randy Newman the grumpy composer of Pixar soundtracks.

Dark Matter is a state-of-America record, a follow-up to the Bush-era Harps and Angels (2008) that avoids the obvious targets in search of a deeper comedy.

It seems characteristic that one big political number about Trump was rejected in favour of a much sharper one about Putin.

Newman has a knack of being funny without you ever being quite sure why. Which is not to say the whole album’s a joy.

The Great Debate is a madcap gladiatorial fight between science and religion, jolting across eight minutes. It’s impressive but also exhausting.

But he keeps sarcasm and sentimentality in balance on tunes like Sonny Boy, about a culturally appropriated blues singer from Jackson, Tennessee. At his best, Newman still leaves you a little unsure of where anything or anyone stands.