The Killers recently released a new single titled ‘Your Side Of Town,’ their first release of the year and the first since their standalone single ‘Boy’ from the previous year. However, the band’s frontman, Brandon Flowers, revealed in an interview with The Times that their planned new album has been abandoned.
Halfway through recording the album, Flowers realized that the music they were creating didn’t align with their direction anymore. He stated that the band’s style has evolved, and he’s more fulfilled making music like their 2021 album ‘Pressure Machine.’ Flowers expressed that he wants to explore quieter music suited for smaller venues and reflect on the next phase of his life.
The decision to change their musical direction stems from the realization that the band members are no longer the same people they were when they created their iconic debut album ‘Hot Fuss.’ Flowers emphasized his interest in evolving and expressed the difficulty of making such a shift, considering their legacy and the expectations of their audience.
In fact, even on the cover of The Sunday Times, the cover was quoted as saying:
”No More Mr. Brightside. Brandon Flowers- Is it time to kill off The Killers?”
It is to be noted that The Killers fans are worried about a breakup after this magazine cover and the band scrapping a new album.
This announcement follows The Killers’ earlier hints about working on a new album with producers Stuart Price and Shawn Everett, indicating a potential release in 2022. The band’s evolution and exploration of new musical territories showcase their willingness to take creative risks and develop their sound beyond their early hits.
“Halfway through recording I realised, ‘I can’t do this,’” Flowers said, adding: “This isn’t the kind of record… I think this will be the… I don’t think you’ll see us making this type of music any more.”
He added: “This is the crisis I’m in. The Killers are my identity and our songs fill the seats, but I’m more fulfilled making music like [2021 album] ‘Pressure Machine’.
“I found a side of myself writing it that was strong. This was the guy I’d been looking for! I’m as proud of ‘Hot Fuss’ as you can be for something you did when you were 20, but I’m not 20. So I’m thinking about the next phase of my life.”
Of the band’s future, he went on: “I’m a different person now, it’ll be difficult to go back,” adding that he wants to make quieter music for smaller venues.
“It is a conflict,” he added. “It is just, well, at what point do I make that change? Who in the band wants to do that too? No matter what, there will always be people who look at me and just think of Somebody Told Me. And I get that. But I’m interested in evolving.”
The interview also touched on an incident at one of the band’s shows, where they were booed for inviting a Russian fan onstage. Flowers explained that their intention was to create a communal atmosphere, but their words were misconstrued, leading to an apology and a clarification of their intent. Despite these challenges, The Killers continue to evolve and connect with their audience through their music and performances.
