For the most part, a fair statement might be that when most of us envision life in our 70’s, in our mind’s eye we see warm images of grandchildren playing in our yard that are accompanied by a slow surrender to an increasing steady stream of free time, relaxation and reflection that this stage of life often brings to us. It appears that with his new album, “Letter to You,” 71 year old Bruce Springsteen, the iconic New Jersey rocker who once sang of “Glory Days,” has drifted into a more contemplative and reflective place on his journey across life’s landscape.

A decidedly uplifting component in the mix is that, after a long separation, Bruce has reunited with the vaunted E Street band on this latest studio project. It’s clear that time has not tarnished the band’s skills in any way, for they sound fresh and new all over again. Listing to the songs, there’s something else that is also present. Within the tracks of “Letter to You,” one hears what may possibly be the faint echo of goodbye from Springsteen as he now starts the slow descent into the twilight of a storied musical career. In an amazing musical trek has produced a vault of million sellers that include ghostly songs like “The Rising,” and “The River,” the once dusty rose-colored memories of his glittering glory days now seem to have given-way to the frosty winds of encroaching reality, as he ruminates on the finality of death. In its way, “Letter to You” is Springsteen sharing the sobering reinforcement of his own mortality with all of us.

From start to finish, this is a thoughtful and introspective Bruce Springsteen who, while he still looks years younger than his 71 years, and might never grow old in the eyes of his fans, seems to be looking in life’s mirror and feeling that he’s certainly not getting any younger. Across the many of the songs, he appears to be haunted by the ghosts from his early life. He sees them in his dreams walking down the dark hallways of his inner thoughts. Two songs in particular reflect this mindset. “I’ll See You in My Dreams,” and “One Minute “You’re Here” both tracks reflect the inescapable impermanence of this life.

As I say, the thematic theme that dominates the 20th studio album from the prolific singer/songwriter is his hauntingly-crafted lyrics that amplify a deep and pervasive sense of loss. The 2011 passing of former bandmate and close friend, Clarence ‘The Big Man” Clemons, can be heard and felt in Springsteen’s aching vocals. Aside from losing Clemons, the man who played a pivotal role in the legendary E Street Band, perhaps the centerpiece of this album is the poignant “Last Man Standing.” The song finds him reflecting on the death of George Theiss, a friend and bandmate in Springsteen’s long-ago teenage band, The Castiles. His death left Bruce as the sole survivor of his first rock band. Looking back through the past darkly, his touching lyrics are crafted around the stark reality that nothing, and nobody, lasts forever in this life. So the Boss is voicing his belief that life is fleeting, and as such, every moment of it must be cherished.

“Rock of ages lift me somehow

Somewhere high and hard and loud

Somewhere deep into the heart of the crowd

I’m the last man standing now”

On “Ghosts,” a track that showcases Springsteen’s slashing guitar and howling rock ‘n’ roll voice, coupled with the steady cadence of the E Street Band’s veteran drummer, Max Weinberg, this same sense of loss and stone cold reality is projected in classic E Street Band style. Despite the fact that Springsteen has not been in the studio with them for a while, the band’s presence lifts and carries him up to his halcyon days. They still perform like a well-oiled machine, and Weinberg is still the glue that holds them together throughout. Coupled with the conviction in Springsteen’s vocal delivery, everything gels in a way that underscores the groups enduring viability.

“Letter to You” stands as a testament to the fact that across the decades, Springsteen has always been able to slip the bonds of his early rock ‘n’ roll persona to craft a portfolio of sensitive, touching and poignant songs that have consistently reached inside the collective heart of multiple generations. A multimillionaire who has never lost the human touch, his songs are all about you and me and what we feel deep inside.

He has traveled a long and storied road. The emotional intensity of “Letter to You” leads us to the inescapable realization Bruce Springsteen still matters. For he is, indeed, a special artist. From a wild ride down “Thunder Road” to the touching memories of “My Home Town,” his music continues to give a voice to what’s inside of all of us. With his latest gem, he again displays the pillars of his songwriting and the unvarnished timber of his vocal delivery. These things in Springsteen are his key that unlocks the door to what tumbles around inside you and me. At 71, his journey goes on as he takes paths less traveled and shares introspective moments in a way that is both beautiful and thought provoking.

Paul Collins is a freelance writer from Southborough, Massachusetts.

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