David Byrne will release his first new solo album in seven years, Who Is the Sky?, on September 5. The 12-track collection is a follow-up to the founding Talking Heads frontman’s 2017 studio effort, American Utopia, which spawned a world tour, a hugely successful Broadway show, and an HBO film.
Videos by American Songwriter
All the tracks on Who Is the Sky? were arranged by New York City-based chamber-music ensemble Ghost Train Orchestra. The album was produced by Kid Harpoon, who previously has worked with Harry Styles, Miley Cyrus, and many others.
Who Is the Sky? features contributions from several guest artists, including St. Vincent, Paramore frontwoman Hayley Williams, and The Smile drummer Tom Skinner. Longtime Byrne percussionist Mauro Refosco also appears on the album.
Byrne has released the infectious new song “Everybody Laughs” as the lead single. The track, which features St. Vincent on guest vocals, is available now via digital formats. In addition, a companion music video directed by multimedia artist Gabriel Barcia-Colombo has debuted at Byrne’s official YouTube channel.
The “Everybody Laughs” video features a cast of dozens, including a variety of dancers and musicians, delivering a choreographed presentation of song. The eclectic pop tune finds Byrne whimsically reflecting on the masses of humanity trying to make their way through life in New York City.
Who Is the Sky? can be pre-ordered now. The album will be released on CD, as a vinyl LP, and digitally. The LP is available on standard black vinyl, lemon-yellow vinyl, and limited-edition cantaloupe-orange/strawberry-pink split vinyl.
Byrne Will Launch a Major Word Tour Supporting Who Is the Sky?
The 73-year-old Rock & Roll Hall of Famer also has unveiled plans for a major world tour in support of Who Is the Sky?
Byrne will be accompanied by a touring group featuring 13 musicians, singers, and dancers. The outfit will include some members of David’s American Utopia band.
The trek will begin with a 40-plus-date North American leg that’s plotted out from a September 14 show in Providence, Rhode Island, through a December 5-6 engagement in Miami Beach, Florida. Byrne will be playing multiple shows at most stops on the tour.
In January 2026, the trek will head Down Under for a six-show visit to New Zealand and Australia. That will be followed by a 20-date European leg running from a February 12 concert in Berlin through a March 18-19 stand in Paris.
Tickets for the tour go on sale to the general public starting this Friday, June 13. Pre-sale tickets are available now. Visit Laylo.com to register to access pre-sale tickets. Check out a full list of tour dates at DavidByrne.com.
More About Who Is the Sky?
According to a press release, Who Is the Sky? finds Byrne exploring and expanding on themes he examined on American Utopia.
As the release explains, on the new album, “Byrne continues his lifelong exploration of human connection and the potential for societal unity against the chaotic backdrop of the world.” It also notes that the songs display David’s “gift for riding the razor’s edge of avant-garde and accessible pop.”
Williams is featured on a song titled “What Is the Reason for It?,” in which Byrne ponders the mysteriousness of love. In 2024, Williams’ band, Paramore, released a version of the Talking Heads classic “Burning Down the House” as part of a tribute album saluting Byrne’s old band. David subsequently released a cover of Paramore’s “Hard Times.”
Byrne decided to ask Ghost Train Orchestra to serve as his main backing band on the album after hearing the group’s 2023 tribute album to the late New York City street performer and poet Moondog. David felt that the 15-piece group’s varied lineup, which includes drums, percussion, guitar, bass, strings, woodwinds, and brass, would greatly enhance his new tunes.
Who Is the Sky? Track List:
- “Everybody Laughs”
- “When We Are Singing”
- “My Apartment Is My Friend”
- “A Door Called No”
- “What Is the Reason for It?”
- “I Met the Buddha at a Downtown Party”
- “Don’t Be Like That”
- “The Avant Garde”
- “Moisturizing Thing”
- “I’m an Outsider”
- “She Explains Things to Me”
- “The Truth”
(Photo by Shervin Lainez)
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