At some point everyone wants: r artist: in times with a big orchestra. Not that David Byrne had had no experience-but after the huge happening American Utopia (album, Broadway musical, music film by Spike Lee), he made sense after great emotions. And so big that they could only be conveyed appropriately with a full chamber orchestra – curtain for the New York Ghost Train Orchestra, which is known for an avant -garde approach.
Recommendations of the editorial team
The orchestra, Byrne and producer Kid Harpoon (otherwise active for popicoons from another generation like Harry Styles or Miley Cyrus) complement each other well, so that the album never sounds like an orchestral experiment, as the musical excursions such often do. A certain touch of Disney, however, sometimes cannot be dismissed, but forms a good opposite pole with her fine and subtle humor with songs like “She Explains Things to Me” (about a woman who is simply better known than he is) or “I met the buddha at a down -party”.
In general, we experience the story plate by Byrne at his very best in terms of his ability to tell a wonderfully detailed, clever story in around three and a half minutes – gladly with guests like St Vincent and Hayley Williams. Is it the most forward -looking album of his career? Certainly not. But if you love pop, you can’t avoid David Byrne. Not even today.
This review first appeared in the MusikExpress 09/2025.