Who Is The Sky?

“Who Is The Sky?” David Byrne
11th solo album from the former frontman of the Talking Heads. The album is an upbeat, polyrhythmic, unpredictable collection of indie pop tunes. The catchy melodies variously employ Mariachi-style brass, strings, Latin rhythms and synthesizer noodling. 12-piece Brooklyn ensemble Ghost Train Orchestra provides support throughout, with contributions from guest artists such as Paramore’s Hayley Williams, St. Vincent, Tom Skinner and more. The lyrics can be quirky and a bit cheesy at times. RIYL: Talking Heads or out-of-the-box pop songs
— Francis

Recommended: 1, 5, 7, 11, 8, 9. FCCs on Tracks 13, 14 and 15.

1. (3:48) Everybody Laughs (With Ghost Train Orchestra) — Starts with a 4-second count-in. Strummy and bubbly lead single. Island rhythms. St. Vincent (Annie Clark) lends her voice to the background vocals. ****
2. (3:24) When We Are Singing — Deliberate tempo with a syncopated beat. Byrne’s vocals are intentionally meandering and sung slightly off-key. Orchestral elements in the lead break.
3. (3:03) My Apartment Is My Friend — Plucky, bright and playful. Lots of dynamic changes to the arrangement. A loving, tongue-in-cheek ode to the comfort of having a nice flat in New York City.
4. (2:35) A Door Called No — Stately chamber pop. Guitar and lots of strings. Starts softly and demurely but then builds into an anthem.
5. (3:11) What Is The Reason For It? (With Hayley Williams & Ghost Train Orchestra) — Energetic dance number — performed in a tango style. Catchy brass, woodwind runs and backing vocals. ****
6. (3:14) I Met The Buddha At A Downtown Party — Quirky storytelling strut about meeting a guy at a party who eats unhealthy snacks, while hanging out by the pastries and canapés.
7. (3:00) Don't Be Like That (Clean Edit) — Bouncy and catchy. Clever lines over a Latin rhythm with Byrne’s warm, crooning vocals. ****
8. (3:42) The Avant Garde (With Ghost Train Orchestra) (Clean Edit) — Starts with chimey synths in an off-kilter experimental (avant-garde) manner but then resolves into very melodic choruses. ***
9. (2:42) Moisturizing Thing (Clean Edit) — Cultured chamber pop that tells a story about using anti-aging cream and waking up as a three-year-old. Fun! **
10. (3:33) I’m An Outsider — Flowing dream pop with a funky modern R&B vibe that transitions into a skipping rhythm in the choruses.
11. (2:19) She Explains Things To Me (With Ghost Train Orchestra) — A beautiful, all-too-brief ballad — reminiscent of the Talking Heads. ***
12. (3:02) The Truth — Rhythm-driven closer, complete with marimbas and steel drums as well as some strings.
13. (3:01) Don't Be Like That (Unedited) — FCC: shit — Unedited version of Track 7.
14. (3:42) The Avant Garde (With Ghost Train Orchestra) (Unedited) — FCCs: shit (4 times) — Unedited version of Track 8.
15. (2:42) Moisturizer Thing (Unedited) — FCC: fucking — Unedited version of Track 9.