Ringo Starr spent the 21st century working at a steady clip, touring regularly and releasing a new album every two or three years. When faced with the COVID-19 lockdown of 2020, he didn't let a little thing like a global pandemic knock him off schedule. He hunkered down at his home studio and made
Zoom In, an EP filled with superstar cameos and top-notch professionals, all lending their skills to a collection of breezy little tunes. Many of the names are familiar -- old pal
Paul McCartney shows up, as do
Joe Walsh,
Steve Lukather, and
Nathan East -- as are the vibes and themes: it's all love, peace, and good times.
Ringo gives the near-title track "Zoom In Zoom Out" a contemporary spin, writing the novelty ode to telecommunications this era needed, yet most of
Zoom In could've easily fit on any record he's made since
Ringo 2012, if not
Liverpool 8. Consistency is a virtue in this case: maybe
Starr does little more than deliver what he promises, but he does deliver, and that reliability is a comfort in times of uncertainty. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine