The frontman for The Killers, Brandon Flowers, is embarking on a solo musical detour into country music with his third solo album, Thrasher, according to a report published August 20.
Recorded in Nashville at RCA Studio A, the album features veteran musicians including pedal steel player Bruce Bouton, harmonica player Charlie McCoy, and Americana musician Margo Price.
Flowers' interest in country music began during his childhood in Nephi, Utah, inspired by his father listening to artists such as Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, and John Conlee. The new album draws from his rural upbringing and his experiences working in Las Vegas casinos.
In addition to personal history, the album includes a tribute to his late brother-in-law and a critique of the opioid crisis in his hometown. Flowers noted the devastating impact of the crisis in his graduating class, describing the business of prescribing painkillers as a dirty business that took many lives.
The album also explores Flowers' uncertainty regarding fame. On the track American Dream, he reflects on whether fame and fortune provide true contentment. He expressed concerns about his own success and how his children might compare themselves to his achievements.
Flowers mentioned that he seeks to avoid displaying his success to his family, noting that they do not display gold records in their home. He compared his level of happiness to his father, who lived on a modest income but remains active with hobbies like painting and visiting garage sales.
While The Killers have been on a break since playing the UEFA Champions League final this summer, Flowers indicated there is business in mind for the band's return. He emphasized the importance of evolving as a musician, citing John Lennon and Tom Petty as examples of artists who inhabit their age gracefully.
Flowers is scheduled to bring the new album to the Royal Albert Hall this autumn. The project consists of 10 songs selected from 23 tracks recorded over a three-week period in Nashville.
