The New Oldies: #9 Album of the Year 2025: David Byrne & The Ghost Train Orchestra – Who is the Sky?

Something seems to be missing these days. It seems that record companies, radio stations, and streaming services are pushing some the great established musicians to the background. As a result these veteran artists are not getting the attention they deserve. Enter the Top 10 Album Countdown: The New Oldies. The main point is simple – to make this list you must have at least 20 years of producing established music. The album by the artist must have been released between November 1st, 2024 and October 31st, 2025.

#9: David Byrne & The Ghost Train Orchestra – Who is the Sky?

We all know David Byrne from his days of the Talking Heads, making that band one of the most unique bands in the history of Rock music. Since Talking Heads disbanded in 1991, Byrne has kept busy working on a solo career but has also dabbled in photography, film, and even opera. 2025 saw Byrne release his first “solo” album for the first time in seven years. “Solo” is in quotes because this time he teams up with the advant-garde ensemble the Ghost Train Orchestra for Who is the Sky?

Byrne had heard Ghost Train Orchestra’s Songs and Symphoniques: The Music of Moondog album. Ghost Train Orchestra and Byrne then brought in producer Kid Harpoon (best known recently for his work with Harry Styles) and the result is the Who is the Sky?

This album is exactly what you would expect. It is the eccentric and eclectic storytelling style of Byrne, and the unique orchestral sounds of the Ghost Train Orchestra. It’s a bit a throwback to some of the Talking Heads sound, but it also shows Byrne as a 70+ year old musician evolving his sound to the highest level. This is an album that grows on you. It’s one where the complexities of the sound comes out with each listen.