"There was praise for its expansive and experimental approach: songs built on rhythms by Brian Eno were handed over to a wide selection of producers to tinker with, then Byrne compiled the finished product. Part of a larger multimedia project called Reasons to Be Cheerful, it attempted to engender a spirit of positivity, but there were complaints that this amounted to a blithe abdication of responsibility amid the first Trump presidency. Respectful long-service-medal reviews coexisted with angry fulminating over the complete absence of female contributors."
"The ensuing American Utopia live shows, which used cutting-edge technology and choreography to demolish the conventions of a rock show, attracted deserved hyperventilating praise. A tour that began playing modest theatres wound up filling arenas, spawning a Broadway show, two live albums one named after a critic's breathless assertion that it was The Best Live Show of All Time and a Spike Lee-directed movie."
Seven years separated Who Is the Sky? from American Utopia. American Utopia received mixed responses: songs built on Brian Eno rhythms were given to many producers and then compiled. The project, part of Reasons to Be Cheerful, aimed for positivity but drew criticism as a blithe abdication during the first Trump presidency and for lacking female contributors. Byrne pursued diverse musical paths including Latin American music, opera and trip-hop. The American Utopia live shows used cutting-edge technology and choreography, expanded from theatres to arenas, spawned a Broadway show, two live albums and a Spike Lee-directed film. Who Is the Sky? was recorded with Brooklyn's 12-piece Ghost Train Orchestra and producer Kid Harpoon, moving to a more straightforward collaboration.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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