Through a study of over 300 songs, Ward and Luttrell have created a book that is academically rigorous, deeply accessible, and immensely fun. The research in this book helps to bridge a gap that has existed in popular music studies for some time - how pop songs work from the perspective of songwriters, and what kinds of creative tools can be learned through the critical listening of a broad range of music. Not only will this book give you insight into why your favourite songs continue to move you, it will inspire you pick up a pen, grab an instrument, and write a new song of your own. A must for songwriters everywhere.

Jadey O'Regan, The University of Sydney

This fantastically refreshing and accessible book from Ward and Luttrell gets to the heart of what makes songs work. A superb contribution to the field, A New Philosophy of Songwriting unpacks the how and why of music making and transforms our understanding of songs as multimodal systems for storytelling and human connection.

Simon Barber, Birmingham City University