David Byrne Announces New Album, International Tour Starting September

David Byrne is set to release his first solo album in seven years, Who Is the Sky?, on September 5 via Matador Records, featuring collaborations with artists such as St. Vincent, Hayley Williams, and The Smile’s Tom Skinner. Produced by Kid Harpoon, the album offers a blend of personal storytelling and uplifting melodies, with orchestral arrangements by the Ghost Train Orchestra enhancing the emotional depth. The lead single, "Everybody Laughs," reflects Byrne's anthropological view of life in New York, balancing themes that could be seen as negative with joyous grooves and melodies. Byrne emphasized a new creative freedom at this stage in his career, stepping outside his comfort zone while embracing his identity. To support the album, Byrne will embark on a large-scale international tour with a 13-member band, many from his American Utopia ensemble, performing with mobility and dynamic staging. This release follows Byrne's acclaimed 2018 album American Utopia, which was adapted into a Broadway show and an HBO film.