“I Can’t Do This”: The Killers Scrapped An Album After Recording 3 Songs

The Killers have stood as a cornerstone of modern American rock for nearly a quarter of a century. Their debut album, Hot Fuss, released in the early 2000s, emerged as an anthem for a generation of ’90s kids navigating their teenage years filled with confusion and emotional turmoil. Among their iconic tracks, “Mr. Brightside”has reached a level of recognition that invites listeners to roll down their car windows and sing aloud at the top of their lungs.

However, the nostalgia surrounding that era is fading as The Killers have been on an evolving musical journey. While many fans cherish their earlier music, the band’s sound has shifted significantly over the years. Their latest single, “Your Side of Town, ”released in 2023, initially sparked excitement that they might revisit their roots—but that sentiment proved fleeting.

The Killers Recorded Three New Songs for Their Next Album, Then Scrapped It

The Killers Are Embracing Change

A woman in an elaborate 1920s flapper outfit in The Killers' 'Your Side of Town' music video

Released in August 2023, “Your Side of Town”evokes the synth-pop sound that initially defined The Killers. The song, rich with echoes of disco, managed to weave in the moody undertones reminiscent of their early albums. However, it had been quite some time since the band produced a track that felt so aligned with their earlier sound, leading many fans to hope for a return to that style.

Back in 2021, the band introduced Pressure Machine, a project steeped in personal narratives and artistic challenges. This album was distinctively different, incorporating snippets of interviews that captured lead singer Brandon Flowers’ upbringing in Nephi, Utah. While it included some synth influences, the Americana concept did not mirror the pop angst that characterized Hot Fuss and Sam’s Town.

The optimism surrounding “Your Side of Town”quickly dissipated when the band announced they would not proceed with the accompanying album. During an interview with the New York Times, Brandon Flowers disclosed that halfway through the recording process, he experienced a moment of clarity regarding the direction of the project.

“Halfway through recording I realized, ‘I can’t do this.’ This isn’t the kind of record… I don’t think you’ll see us making this type of music any more.”

Notably, three songs had already been finalized during this process and were later featured in the 2023 greatest hits compilation, Rebel Diamonds. In addition to “Your Side of Town, ”these tracks included “Boy, ”which had been released in 2022, and “Spirit.”

Why Brandon Flowers Abandoned His New Album & Entire Sound

Flowers Is Evolving

A small town couple at the Drive-In in the Runaway Horses music video

Brandon Flowers has always cherished his fanbase and remains proud of the collaborative journey with The Killers. Nonetheless, he acknowledges an internal struggle between meeting fan expectations and pursuing his artistic vision. Ultimately, Flowers chose the path of personal growth, leaning away from the music styles of the band’s youth:

“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. It is a conflict. 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.”

Flowers expressed a genuine pride in the sound developed in Pressure Machine, which not only resonated with him personally but also unveiled a side of him as an artist that he had long sought. As he embarks on this new phase, he affirms that The Killers will not glance back to their earlier sound. Instead, fans can anticipate a continuation of the deeply personal storytelling that has emerged in his recent work.

Sources: The Sunday Times

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