Brandon Flowers Goes Full Country with New Solo Album 'Thrasher'

Brandon Flowers, the frontman of The Killers, is returning to solo work after more than a decade with a new album that fully embraces country and Americana sounds. Titled 'Thrasher,' the record is set for release on August 21 via Island Records, as reported by Pitchfork.

PitchforkBrandon Flowers Announces New Solo Album 'Thrasher,' First in 11 Years

Recorded in Nashville at RCA Studio A, the album features contributions from David Rawlings, pedal-steel player Bruce Bouton, and harmonica player Charlie McCoy, according to Rolling Stone. Flowers described the project to Pitchfork as a return to his father's music as he's gotten older, with Stereogum noting he called it his 'country/western' album.

2 sources

StereogumBrandon Flowers Announces Country/Western Solo Album 'Thrasher'Rolling StoneBrandon Flowers Announces Country Solo Album 'Thrasher,' First Solo Release in Over a Decade

"Every image and person in the film is created using AI video tools."

Wait, that quote is from a different source. Let me correct: The album follows Flowers' 2015 solo release 'The Desired Effect' and comes after The Killers' 2021 album 'Pressure Machine,' as Stereogum reported. Rolling Stone noted that while The Killers have previously incorporated Americana and rootsy sounds on albums like 'Pressure Machine' and 'Sam's Town,' this solo project represents Flowers' first complete embrace of the country sound inspired by his father's love for Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings during his Utah upbringing.

"This is my country/western album."

Stereogum also reported that Flowers had previously scrapped a half-finished Killers album in 2023, positioning 'Thrasher' as part of a broader trend of major artists exploring country music. The album marks a full pivot to country western music for the singer, according to Rolling Stone.