STARS: 3.5/5
Five years since their last major studio album, The Killers are back in full force with their most self-reflective and revealing album to date, “Wonderful Wonderful,” released Sept. 22.
Despite the misleading title, things aren’t “Wonderful Wonderful” on the rock band’s newest LP. Instead, lead singer Brandon Flowers, the group’s primary songwriter, explores masculinity, his wife Tana’s struggles with complex PTSD and depression, and cracks in the band’s cocksure facade over the album’s 10-track offering.
“Wonderful Wonderful” is the group’s most cohesive album since 2008’s “Day & Age” and the most impressive since 2006’s “Sam’s Town.” It’s clear each song was created with intention and vision, rather than compiled as a hasty collection of songs thrust together for the sake of releasing new music.
Though 2012’s “Battle Born” was well received, climbing as high as No. 2 on Rolling Stone’s “Best Albums of 2012″ Readers’ Poll, it failed to create as considerable a splash as “Sam’s Town” or 2004’s “Hot Fuss,” which yielded enduring hit “Mr. Brightside.”
“Battle Born’s” failure to take off despite several anthemic hits could be traced to the band’s increasing distance. Since 2010, Flowers and bass guitarist Mark Stoermer have each released two solo albums, the most recent 2015’s “The Desired Effect” and 2016’s “Dark Arts,” respectively, and drummer Ronnie Vannucci Jr. released two albums with side project Big Talk.
Following the release of “Wonderful Wonderful,” the group will be touring at half capacity as Stoermer and guitarist Dave Keuning opt to forego touring with the group. Stoermer and Keuning plan to remain active with the band in the studio, but hired hands will fill their places for the group’s upcoming tour schedule.
The vulnerability of this transitional period is explored throughout. The Killers are known for their bold, idiosyncratic ideas, big arena sound and considerable ambition, but those ideas are cast in a more self-aware light this go round.
In “The Man,” Flowers parodies both classical depictions of masculinity and his own bravado-infused persona during the band’s early years. The funk-infused jam is one of the album’s biggest hits, offering a sonically distinct foil to the album’s more traditional rock anthems.
Depictions of masculinity and the struggle of upholding masculine stereotypes are further parsed in “Tyson vs. Douglas,” a look back at the famous title fight in which then-undefeated heavyweight champion Mike Tyson was knocked out by long-shot Buster Douglas. Flowers reflects on seeing the fall of his childhood hero and draws parallels to his own life, concerned he’ll fail his family and three young sons.
Many lyrics in each song also have dual thematic meaning. In “The Man,” Flowers references wealth and status with the verse “I got gas in the tank / I got money in the bank,” later replicating this imagery in album-closer “Have All The Songs Been Written?” in a more subdued tone, pleading “Has all the gas been siphoned? / Do the plains still carry gold?”
“Have All The Songs Been Written?” and “Out of My Mind” stare the band’s existence and the state of rock music in the face, questioning the group’s positioning in a new world order where Flowers believes rap and hip hop are producing the “sexiest” releases of 2017.
“Out of My Mind” is the album’s most meta offering, poking fun at the group’s traditionalist ‘80s rock influences and efforts to remain in a league with Springsteen and McCartney, who are name dropped on the track.
The final and most intimate theme explored, depression and mental health, stems from Flowers’ wife Tana’s struggles with complex PTSD and depression. “Rut,” “Life to Come” and “Some Kind of Love” explore enduring love and commitment in the face of struggle, shedding feelings of shame and combating the crush of depression.
“Some Kind of Love” is beautiful atmospheric dream-pop, with gliding lead vocals from Flowers and heartbreaking background vocals from Flowers’ three sons at the close. The dreamy single is an emotional love letter to Tana.
Overall, the album covers a nice range, from synth-pop, funk and electronic tinged tones to the big arena rock sound the group is best known for, all tied together with a defined emotional maturity. “Run for Cover,” “Life to Come,” “Rut” and “Tyson vs. Douglas” each feature strong builds that showcase the band’s strengths while exploring fresh territory.
While there may not be a “Mr. Brightside” level hit on “Wonderful Wonderful,” the album grows stronger with each listen, revealing new layers and a more dynamic sound. The release is a strong rock album that should please fans of The Killers and audiences seeking an enjoyable crossover sound.
Listen to “Wonderful Wonderful” below.
