KILLERSTAR’S NEW ALBUM ‘THE AFTERGLOW’ IS OUT NOW

KillerStar today build on the acclaim rewarded to their self-titled debut (★★★★ Mojo Magazine ★★★★ The Times) by unveiling a bold evolution in their sound with their new album ‘The Afterglow’. The campaign ahead of its release has been full of highlights, include an electrifying atmosphere at their sold-out three-night residency at the 100 Club as well as support from The Times, RnR, House of Solo, XS Noize and many more.

The album sees the KillerStar founders Rob Fleming and James Sedge joined by an array of David Bowie’s most trusted collaborators, including Mike Garson (piano), Earl Slick (guitar) and Mike Plati (bass), plus Gerry Leonard (guitar) guesting on two songs.  They are joined throughout the album by The Webb Sisters (David Gilmour, Leonard Cohen) What they have created evokes the spirit of Bowie but it’s very much its own unique identity, with ‘The Afterglow’ melding glam, art-rock, hook-laden rock, even a touch of jazz, all held together by killer melodies and lyrical themes on life, love and remembering.
 
Rob Fleming says, “I gravitate to big choruses, but at the same I like things to be mixed up, with influences from across the genres, which I think gives KillerStar its sound. And we didn’t want to make a repeat of the first album, but at the same time we weren’t going to do something so different that it didn’t sound like us. I like the way the album has evolved and I like the idea of keeping KillerStar evolving.”
 
The album’s new focus track ‘Proud’ possesses the balance between continuity and expansion that Rob references. While it’s primarily a blast of driving, straight-up rock intensity with hooks and an explosive finale, it contains fresh flourishes too with symphonic synths from Alfio Annibalini (Alex Lifeson’s Envy of None) as well as soaring harmony backing vocals from the Webb Sisters (David Gilmour, Leonard Cohen).
 
As Rob explains about ‘Proud’ “It’s about not being afraid to be proud of what you’re accomplishing. Brits can be rather shy and returning, not wanting to be boastful, be humble but being proud of a book or an album is good. And it’s a rocking tune with unexpected twists and turns.”
 
‘Proud’ matches the standard set by the album’s previous singles ‘So Easy’, ‘The Rubicon’ and the title track. That flies into the album’s second half, taking in the skybound synth-rock and swampy slide guitar of ‘There Has To Be A Reason’, the ’60s psyche-pop swirl of ‘You Do Me No Favours’ complete with Hammond organ from Carey Frank (Bruce Springsteen, Tedeschi Trucks Band) and the Stonesy stomp of ‘Straight Down The Line’. KillerStar then bring the curtain down with ‘Invincible’, a sprawling two-part epic which explores the growing realisation of mortality.
 
The album was produced by Dave Eringa (Manic Street Preachers, The Who) together with Rob Fleming and James Sedge. Eringa also mixed the record.
 
 ‘The Afterglow’ is available in all good record shops on CD, black vinyl and limited edition silver vinyl. Or available, and on all digital platforms.