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David Byrne Releases Hayley Williams Duet 'What Is the Reason for It?' Ahead of New Solo Album

A Fallon performance with an AI-animated video sets up Who Is the Sky?, due Sept. 5 on Matador.

Overview

  • Byrne performed the new single on The Tonight Show in an intimate Rough Trade NYC set recorded at Rockefeller Plaza.
  • The mariachi-tinged track leads his first solo LP since 2018, produced by Kid Harpoon and featuring vocals from Paramore’s Hayley Williams.
  • The video, created with artist Dustin Yellin, uses AI to animate more than 20 of Byrne’s original line drawings.
  • Album contributors include St. Vincent and The Smile’s Tom Skinner, with all 12 songs arranged by Ghost Train Orchestra.
  • A worldwide tour begins in the U.S. in September before U.K. dates in March 2026, as Byrne also shares an instrumental wedding-dinner playlist after announcing he is getting married.