As far back as the Beatles ' earliest years, the group drew influences far wider than the rock 'n' roll pioneers that directly paved their way. From blues to R&B to even jazz, listen closely to the records released during the Beatlemania years and a wealth of inspiration reveals itself.

Ringo Starr is back with a fresh sound! The Beatles star tackled country music in his new album, Look Up, and he's sharing the details on how he returned to the genre. What do you think of Ringo Starr's new country sound?

Every Friday, pop critics for The New York Times weigh in on the week’s most notable new tracks. Listen to the Playlist on Spotify here (or find our profile: nytimes) and at Apple Music here, and sign up for The Amplifier,

Ringo always wanted to be a cowboy. He grew up in the toughest corner of Liverpool, dreaming of escaping to the Wild West, hoping to emigrate to Texas. He was the biggest country fan in the Beatles, the one who sang the Buck Owens classic "Act Naturally" as well as original twangers like "What Goes On" and "Don't Pass Me By.

Ringo Starr has released his new country album, Look Up. It is his first country album in more than 50 years and his first full-length album since 2019. Listen to it here.