He's playing the exact same blues-rock licks and chord progressions he played back then. That's fine - it's what his fans want - but he's no innovator. More of a high profile lounge act. Contrast him to guys like Alex Lifeson, Steve Hackett, or Steve Howe, whose music is still growing, advancing and changing thirty years later.
I find Lifeson's playing intriguing.
I confess to being unfamiliar w/ Howe's or Hackett's recent musical releases. I will have to check them out.
I agree with that,Mr Clapton's albums for a while have sounded like,how did you put it,high-profile lounge music.I would say maybe it goes with the territiry of getting older,but I've heard recent music by a few of his contemporaries who have kept their edge and fire.