David Byrne, the iconic frontman of Talking Heads, is set to make a significant return with his first solo album in seven years. Titled Who Is The Sky?, the album is scheduled for release on September 5, 2025, via Matador Records. This eagerly awaited follow-up to his 2018 release, American Utopia, promises a fresh yet deeply personal exploration of life and music, featuring collaborations with notable artists and a unique orchestral arrangement.
The album's production was helmed by Grammy-winning producer Tom Hull, better known as Kid Harpoon, who brings his acclaimed experience working with artists like Harry Styles and Miley Cyrus. The 12-track record features arrangements by the New York-based chamber ensemble Ghost Train Orchestra, a 15-member group known for their eclectic instrumental lineup that includes drums, percussion, guitar, bass, strings, winds, and brass. Byrne was inspired to collaborate with Ghost Train Orchestra after hearing their 2023 tribute album to the blind New York composer and street poet Moondog, and even joined them on stage during a Brooklyn performance. This collaboration was a natural fit, as Byrne imagined what his new songs might sound like with their orchestral touch.
“I suspected that intimate orchestral arrangements would bring out the emotion I sense is there in these songs,” Byrne explained. “It’s something that folks don’t always hear in my work, but this time for sure I thought it was there.” Ghost Train Orchestra’s leader, Brian Carpenter, along with Curtis Hasselbring, contributed to arranging the songs, with “My Apartment Is My Friend” being the first rehearsed piece. Byrne’s approach to the album was further enriched by Kid Harpoon’s production, who noted, “It took me a second to realize, oh yeah, these songs are personal, but with David’s unique perspective on life in general.”
At 73, Byrne reflects a seasoned artist who embraces a “don’t give a shit about what people think” attitude, allowing him to step outside his comfort zone with confidence. “Every new set of songs, every song even, is a new adventure,” he said. “There’s always a bit of, ‘how do I work this?’ I’ve found that not every collaboration works, but often when they do, it’s because I’m able to clearly impart what it is I’m trying to do.”
The album’s lead single, “Everybody Laughs,” encapsulates Byrne’s anthropological view of life in New York City. “Someone I know said, ‘David, you use the word ‘everybody’ a lot,’” Byrne shared. “Everybody lives, dies, laughs, cries, sleeps and stares at the ceiling. Everybody’s wearing everybody else’s shoes, which not everybody does, but I have done.” The track balances themes that could be seen as negative with an uplifting groove and melody, culminating in a spirited finale featuring Byrne and St. Vincent singing and hollering together. Byrne remarked, “Music can do that – hold opposites simultaneously. I realized that when singing with Robyn earlier this year. Her songs are often sad, but the music is joyous.”
Collaborations abound on Who Is The Sky?, with guest appearances from Paramore’s Hayley Williams, who features on the track “What Is the Reason for It?”, St. Vincent, The Smile’s Tom Skinner, and American Utopia percussionist Mauro Refosco. Byrne’s longstanding relationships with collaborators like Skinner and Refosco add depth and continuity to his evolving sound.
The album’s packaging is an artistic statement in itself, designed by Shira Inbar and featuring psychedelic, spiky outfits by Belgian artist Tom Van Der Borght. Byrne appears nearly obscured by radiating, colored patterns, visually echoing the album’s themes of transcendence and stepping into other realities. Byrne described the album as “a chance to be the mythical creature we all harbor inside. A chance to step outside the prison of our ‘selves.’”
To support the album, Byrne has assembled an ambitious world tour featuring 13 musicians, singers, and dancers, including members of the American Utopia band. This touring ensemble will be mobile throughout the set, aiming to deliver a dynamic and engaging live experience. The tour will kick off in Providence, Rhode Island, at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium on September 14, 2025, before traveling extensively across North America with notable stops including two shows at New York’s Radio City Music Hall and two at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
Following the North American leg, Byrne will bring the tour to Australia and New Zealand in January 2026, with shows in Auckland, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth. The European and United Kingdom dates will begin in February 2026 and continue for six weeks, covering major cities such as Berlin, Amsterdam, Milan, London, Glasgow, Manchester, Cardiff, Dublin, and Paris.
Tickets for the tour went on sale on June 13, 2025, with an artist presale running from June 10 to June 12. Fans have the opportunity to purchase premium packages that include early entry, signed photo books, and even stage tours and on-stage photo opportunities, adding a unique layer of fan engagement.
The full tracklist of Who Is The Sky? is as follows: “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,” and “The Truth.”
Byrne’s return with Who Is The Sky? marks a significant chapter in his lifelong exploration of human connection and societal unity, set against the chaotic backdrop of the modern world. His ability to blend storytelling, orchestral arrangements, and collaborative energy promises an album and tour that will resonate deeply with audiences old and new.
As Byrne himself puts it, “We’re now joined together heading to the same unknown place.” With this new release and ambitious tour, fans worldwide will soon have the chance to experience the journey firsthand.
