Paul McCartney to release new album this summer

Paul McCartney will be the first artist to release an album on the new Hear Music label, a joint effort between Starbucks and Concord Music Group.

The new album by the former Beatle is due out early this summer, and will be available at international Starbucks locations as well as traditional music retail outlets.

The announcement was made today (March 21) at the Starbucks annual shareholders meeting in Seattle, where McCartney made a surprise appearance via satellite.

"For me the great thing is the commitment and the passion and the love of music, which as an artist is good to see," said McCartney.

"It's a new world now and people are thinking of new ways to reach the people and for me that’s always been my aim."

Glen Barros, president and CEO of the Concord Music Group added: "I believe that McCartney fans, like myself, will find that this album connects them to everything that they've always loved about Paul, yet also delivers a new personal dimension that shows his continued evolution as an artist. It is a truly profound recording."

--By our Los Angeles staff.
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