10 Best Rock Albums Of 2021 (So Far)
4. Pressure Machine - The Killers
Ever since Sam's Town, the entire sound of the Killers seemed to change just a little bit. While not necessarily going all David Bowie with their sound, the future of the band has always been a lot more thoughtful and informed by the tracks that are much more of a slice of life than adolescent melodrama. If Pressure Machine is what these guys sound like all grown up, they're definitely looking to go above the beyond.
Working with some of the best producers in indie rock, this entire album feels like you're taking a trip through America's heartland, complete with spoken words snippets from different hangers on as they talk about their day to day lives. Compared to the usual people like Don Henley who try to speak on behalf of people, this feels like the Killers holding up a mirror to the world they live in and giving them a chance to say their piece.
Whereas albums like Wonderful Wonderful tended to sound a little bloated after repeated listens, Pressure Machine sounds like Brandon Flowers has finally hit his stride as a seasoned rock writer. Even though he could probably deliver a million Hot Fusses until the day he dies, it's records like this that show them being just as curious as to where their sound could go as we are.