Van Dyke Parks: Songs Cycled – exclusive album stream Have a listen to the composer's first new album in 24 years and let us know your thoughts Van Dyke Parks Recycling the American dream … Van Dyke Parks Shares 0 Comments 11 Monday 29 April 2013 16.21 BST It's been 24 years since Van Dyke Parks last released an album of new material. The composer, who turned 70 at the beginning of this year, may have teased us with the occasional soundtrack or live album, but it's still a thrill to hear his first new music since 1989's Tokyo Rose. Reading on mobile? Click here to listen. Songs Cycled (a nod to his 1968 debut album Song Cycle) features cover versions, re-recordings and a whole host of brand new compositions. Several songs go behind the facade of the American dream to tackle subjects such as the Iraq war (Dreaming of Paris) and the financial crisis (Wall Street). It's no surprise, then, that Van Dyke Parks describes the record as the sound of "a maverick on the loose". So what do you think? Have a listen using the player above and let us know your verdict in the comment section below. Since you’re here… …we have a small favour to ask. More people are reading the Guardian than ever but far fewer are paying for it. And advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. So you can see why we need to ask for your help. The Guardian's independent, investigative journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. But we do it because we believe our perspective matters – because it might well be your perspective, too. If everyone who reads our reporting, who likes it, helps to pay for it, our future would be much more secure.