Brandon Flowers Questions Fame’s Value on New Country Album Thrasher

Key points

• Thrasher is Flowers’ first solo album in 11 years, recorded at RCA Studio A in Nashville.
• The album includes 10 tracks selected from 23 recorded in three weeks, with the remaining 13 slated for a future release.
• Flowers cites a 'country addiction' rooted in his childhood in Nephi, Utah, where he listened to Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard.
• The record features veteran musicians including 85-year-old harmonica player Charlie McCoy and pedal steel legend Bruce Bouton.
• Flowers questions the value of fame, noting that his father, who earned $25,000 annually, may be happier than he is.
• The Killers are on a break but plan to return, with Flowers suggesting the new country sound could influence the band’s next evolution.

Background

Flowers previously released solo albums The Desired Effect (2015) and Pressure Machine (2021), the latter exploring windswept balladry. The Killers have been on hiatus since the UEFA Champions League final in summer 2026, though they have headlined Glastonbury twice, most recently in 2019. Flowers has historically balanced touring with family life, often isolating his children from the pressures of fame.

How outlets are covering it

BBC highlights Flowers’ introspection on fame and his gratitude for the live recording process with veteran musicians. The Guardian praises the album’s commitment to traditional country but criticizes specific tracks like 'Angel' for potentially offensive racial implications. VICE offers a mixed review, rating the album 5/10, expressing disappointment that the title 'Thrasher' does not reflect heavier music and criticizing the lack of edginess. WUKY focuses on the songwriting process, noting that 'Plans' was the last song recorded and became a number one hit on Americana charts. Outlets differ on the album’s artistic success, with The Guardian calling it a 'hoot' and VICE finding it lacking in intensity.

Why it matters

The release signals a potential shift in The Killers’ future direction, as Flowers suggests evolving rather than repeating past hits. It also highlights the ongoing impact of the opioid crisis in rural America through songs like 'Miss America.' Flowers’ public questioning of fame’s value resonates with broader cultural conversations about the costs of celebrity.

What to watch

Flowers will tour Thrasher in smaller venues this autumn, including a performance at the Royal Albert Hall. A companion album featuring the 13 unrecorded tracks from the Thrasher sessions is expected next year. The Killers are also planning a new album, with Flowers indicating the band will continue to evolve rather than rest on past successes.