Propulsive and hungry, The Killers’ new single “Caution” is a restless, infectious anthem of hope driven by that inner need for release: A sonic blend of Sam’s Town and Battle Born that spells great things for their upcoming sixth album, ‘Imploding the Mirage’.
Stream: “Caution” – The Killers
Restlessness: It’s a feeling we all know only too well – especially in this present moment – but it reaches far deeper than that. Restlessness is baked into many of our characters, a key component of our complex identities. It’s what drives us to move; to achieve; to work hard, and be the very best versions of ourselves. It’s as critical to our individual identities as it is fundamental to American identity – that innate, inner motivation that pushes us to leave the home we’ve always known, adventuring out into a world full of discovery, uncertainty, and exciting unknowns. Restlessness, in its many forms, has come to be one of the core building blocks of modern human experience – central to many coming-of-age moments, but also a consistent part of our everyday lives.
America’s sweethearts The Killers returned this month with a restless BANG!, capturing that undercurrent of edgy, raw energy constantly lurking on our not-so-distant horizon. While their song’s message is timeless, its timing could not have been any better: We were in dire need of a new jam to get us through social distancing and self-quarantine, and “Caution” is our rip-roaring savior.
Let me introduce you
to the featherweight queen
She got Hollywood eyes,
but she can’t shoot what she see
Momma was a dancer,
and that’s all that she knew
‘Cause when you live in the desert
that’s what pretty girls do
Released March 12 via Island Records, “Caution” is the lead single off The Killers’ upcoming sixth album Imploding the Mirage and their latest studio release following 2017’s fifth album Wonderful Wonderful – their first in the streaming era.
Propulsive and hungry, “Caution” is a restless, infectious anthem of hope driven by that inner need for release: A sonic blend of Sam’s Town and Battle Born that taps into The Killers’ familiar small-town storytelling.
A fervent dose of less-than-picturesque American life complete with an electrifying guitar solo coda from Fleetwood Mac’s own Lindsay Buckingham, this song is a classic Killers hit in the modern age.
And like any great Killers song, “Caution” starts with a scene of small-town distress, echoing a familiar inability to escape the same old life we’ve always known: “Let me introduce you to the featherweight queen,” sings Brandon Flowers in a hearty, not-quite Audible storyteller’s voice. “She got Hollywood eyes, but she can’t shoot what she see.” Immediately, we’re brought into this classic fantasy of the Hollywood damsel – and just as fast, the scene grows dark; the plot thickens: “Momma was a dancer, and that’s all that she knew, ’cause when you live in the desert, that’s what pretty girls do.“
The Killers jolt startlingly fast from the verse to their first chorus, ramping up in intensity as they explode out in a blaze of idyllic rock n’ roll fury. Brandon Flowers sounds better than ever as he elevates his voice and shouts up to the high heavens, delivering an electrifying melody with beautiful vocal finesse:
I’m throwin’ caution, what’s it gonna be?
Tonight the winds of change are blowing wild and free
If I don’t get out, out of this town
I just might be the one who finally burns it down
I’m throwin’ caution
On par with “Mr. Brightside” and “When You Were Young” when it comes to sheer levels of raw energy, “Caution” ignites with a feverish passion and never lets go.
It grabs hold of a feeling and does what it has to do to see it through to the end, as Flowers so poetically sings in the bridge: “‘Cause it’s some kind of sin to live your whole life on a might’ve been.”
All the while, we feel the visceral push of that innate restless urge. The fact that The Killers are singing about the exact thing that drives their music makes “Caution” an undeniable tempest – a true force to be reckoned with.
Never had a diamond on the sole of her shoes
Just blacktop white trash straight out of the news
Doesn’t like birthdays, they remind her of why
She can go straight from zero to the Fourth of July
Throwing caution to the wind means taking a chance and making that leap of faith. It means letting go of hesitations and what-ifs, and embracing your dreams – following them down whatever path they may take you. Many of us look to previous generations for guidance; there are those from the past who left it all behind and made the ultimate sacrifice for the promise of a better future.
Now is our time to ride that wind and take control of our lives. “I’m throwin’ caution, what’s it gonna be? Tonight the winds of change are blowing wild and free.“
“Caution” is a stunning anthem of freedom built on restlessness and hope – a powerhouse of volatile infectious energy in dire need of a home.
It’s The Killers at their very best, doing what everyone loves best: Capturing a moment we all know only too well.
I’m throwin’ caution, what’s it gonna be?
Tonight the winds of change are blowing wild and free
If I don’t get out, out of this town
I just might be the one who finally burns it down
I’m throwin’ caution
Recorded in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Park City, Utah, Imploding the Mirage will be The Killers’ first release since leaving their hometown of Las Vegas. The album will also be their most collaborative effort to date, with the leist of featured artists including Lindsey Buckingham, kd lang, Weyes Blood, Adam Granduciel, Blake Mills, and Lucius. Time will tell if these features fill the gap of founding member Dave Keuning, who quietly exited the band during the Wonderful Wonderful sessions – leaving the trio of Brandon Flowers, Mark Stoermer, and Ronnie Vannucci Jr., to soldier on.
Imploding the Mirage is out May 29 via Island Records. Listen to “Caution” and watch the music video below, which itself is a snippet of a longer film the band made with director Sing Lee.
Driven by internal and external forces alike, “Caution” is in so many ways the epitome of a Killers song: It rides “the spirit of ambitious reinvention,” to quote the band, but more importantly it speaks to something that lies deep down inside each and every one of us: That insatiable thirst for more. It’s a call to action, adventure, and the unknown – a sonic tidal wave ready to overwhelm and fuel us, all at once.
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:: stream/purchase “Caution” here ::
Stream: “Caution” – The Killers
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:: stream/purchase “Caution” here ::
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