PAUL WELLER TEAMS UP WITH FRANK POPP ENSEMBLE FOR ELECTRIFYING NEW SINGLE “RIGHT BEFORE MY EYES”

In a landmark collaboration bridging decades of musical innovation, Frank Popp Ensemble announces the release of “Right Before My Eyes”, featuring none other than British music icon Paul Weller. The track, arriving November 21st, marks the first-ever original recording between Weller and a German artist—an extraordinary meeting of two singular creative forces.

“Right Before My Eyes” delivers an explosive fusion of Weller’s unmistakable vocals and guitar craft with Frank Popp’s trademark cinematic production. Weller brings a raw, urgent performance, confronting global injustices—from displacement and exploitation to conflicts driven by political and religious extremism. His lyrics stare directly at the turmoil of the modern world, urging listeners not to look away. It is classic Weller: sharp, socially attuned, and full of conviction.

Popp’s production elevates the track with lush layers of vintage soul, Northern Soul rhythms, and richly orchestrated arrangements, all polished with a contemporary sheen. It’s a testament to his evolution from sample-driven beginnings to a fully realised bandleader and producer whose sound has become a staple of Berlin’s music landscape.

For Popp, the collaboration is the culmination of a lifelong artistic admiration. Growing up in 1980s Germany, he was captivated by The Jam’s fiery energy and later by the stylistic sophistication of The Style Council. Weller’s solo work continued to shape his musical identity—so much so that the emotional sweep of “You Do Something To Me” served as a key inspiration for this new track.“It is an incredible honor for me to be able to work with this icon of music history, the ‘Modfather’,” Popp says.

Though the idea of working together had lingered for years, life’s schedule kept delaying the moment—until this year, when Weller sent a simple message: “Now it’s time.” Within two weeks, the pair had completed the track, a burst of creative chemistry that captures both artists at their most focused and expressive.

Since forming Frank Popp Ensemble in the early 2000s, Popp has built a reputation for retro-futuristic soul, funk, and soundtrack-inspired grooves. His breakout track “High Voltage” was licensed for the Hollywood thriller Operation Swordfish, while “Hip Teens, Don’t Wear Blue Jeans” became a Coca-Cola campaign staple and climbed into the German Top 20. After time spent producing, designing, and booking some of Berlin’s most celebrated live shows, Popp returned to his ensemble with renewed momentum—releasing 2023’s acclaimed Shifting and, earlier this year, the expansive, collaborative album Waves.

Paul Weller, meanwhile, remains one of the most influential musicians in British history. From The Jam’s generation-defining anthems to the stylistic experimentation of The Style Council and a continually adventurous solo career, Weller has remained both restless and relevant. He stands alongside Lennon and McCartney as one of the few artists to achieve Number 1 albums across five consecutive decades.

“Right Before My Eyes” distills the essence of both artists: Weller’s timeless songwriting and political urgency meet Popp’s flair for melody, atmosphere, and groove. It is at once classic and contemporary—instantly memorable yet layered with emotional and musical depth.

The collaboration is more than a milestone; it is a powerful artistic statement destined to resonate across generations.

“Right Before My Eyes” will be released November 21, 2025 via Unique Records / Schubert Music Europe, distributed by Believe.