Album Review: The Killers - Pressure Machine

Inspired by Brandon Flowers’ upbringing in his Nephi hometown, nostalgic Pressure Machine project follows on from the Nevada band’s 2020 offering Imploding the Mirage.

Despite releasing seven albums since forming The Killers in 2022, the rock act’s latest LP reverts back to soft, sincere Americana storytelling for their latest offering, which came from an era when Flowers was suddenly faced with silence.

Beautiful, conceptualised lyrics and soundbites from small town folk permeate Pressure Machine, referencing opioid addiction, divorce, poverty and religion. Writing from the perspective of Nephi’s residents, from a young bride destined never to leave the town, to hunters and workers from the automotive industry; each song tells a unique tale.

Paired with ‘80s soundscapes, the album embodies Bruce Springsteen’s gift for capturing the essence of a place in all its flaws.

Rolling strings and electric guitar build up momentum in brilliant opener ‘West Hills’, while stark melodies and heart-wrenching words dominate ‘Terrible Thing’. The search for meaning in a claustrophobic environment is explored in ‘Cody’, while ‘Runaway Horse’ platforms those forced to put their dreams on ice. “The Kingdom of God, it’s a pressure machine,” the frontman sings on the title track.

The limits of a quiet, sleepy town can appear melancholy from the outside, yet The Killers perfectly highlight the strength and beauty of their authentic homeland.

8/10
Listen to: ‘West Hills’

Stream Pressure Machine below:

Revisit Hot Press' October 2020 interview with Brandon Flowers here.