Randy Newman may be best known for the songs and lyrics he created for mega movies like Toy Story, A Bug's Life and Monster's Inc, as well as no doubt having a very beneficial impact on his bank accounts.
Ahead of that aspect of his creative life, Newman had forgeda successful career as a songwriter's songwriter. His lyrical approach has always been laconic, wry, quirky and often acerbic.
It's hard to fathom why, at 73, Newman has dusted off his writing pen after a nine-year hiatus, and produced an album that's brutally ironic.
It can only be that the political hurricane that's accompanied Donald Trump's arrival in the White House, was perhaps the motivation he needed.
It's no coincidence then that a song about Trump's penis didn't make the cut for Dark Matter.
However, Donald's nemesis Vladimir Putin does have a tune devoted to him, as do the Kennedy brothers, science, religion, bluesman Sonny Boy Williamson.
The melodies are sumptuous and Newman's delivery captures just the right amount of sarcasm. He is one clever man as his numerous Grammy Awards demonstrate.
His last album Harps and Angels reflected on the legacy of George W Bush, so Dark Matter is a perfect bookend to a new political era. And only handled as deftly as Randy could.
