Album Review - David Byrne: Who Is the Sky?

My way of reviewing albums is pretty straightforward. Music, to me, is an energy exchange. You give it your time and attention, and in return you get a dose of good vibes, healing, and sometimes even a little magic conjured up by a handful of humans making strange sounds together. This phenomenon has been around for ages, and the world politely calls it “the recording industry.” Having spent half my life as a radio professional, singer, production engineer, and all-round music junkie, I feel self-righteously qualified to throw my opinions into the ring. Hence, this little urge to share.

David Byrne - if the name doesn’t instantly make your brain hum “Once in a Lifetime” is a Scottish-born American musician, songwriter, producer, writer, filmmaker, and all-around creative oddball. He’s best known as the co-founder and frontman of Talking Heads, the trailblazing new wave band that ruled the late ’70s and ’80s with their art-rock grooves, offbeat lyrics, and hits like Psycho Killer, Burning Down the House, and This Must Be the Place. Widely hailed as one of the most influential bands of their time, Talking Heads helped define the sound and style of an era.

David Byrne’s 'Who Is the Sky?' (released September 5, 2025) is a delightfully eccentric, genre-blurring return that teams him with 'Ghost Train Orchestra' and producer Kid Harpoon, featuring guest turns from Hayley Williams, St. Vincent, and Tom Skinner. Critics have applauded its inventive orchestration, vibrant melodies, and imaginative storytelling. Highlight tracks like Everybody Laughs and She Explains Things to Me blend humour, emotional depth, and a yearning for connection. While some find the quirky vocal flourishes like brush-with-cat miaowing and lighthearted humour a bit uneven, the album ultimately shines as a bold, joyous, and profoundly personal statement on unity in a world of fragmented sound.

Despite being a full length 12 track LP record, it still tracks in at a total of under 38mins, which I think is pretty good.

Spotify Listen Link

If you do manage to listen to the album - do please come back here and leave a comment telling me how the music touched you in particular.  If you can share this with one person you would call a music lover - it would totally make my day!