Queen drummer Roger Taylor announces new solo album

JAKARTA - Good news came for rock music fans, especially heavy fans of the legendary British band, Queen.

Queen drummer Roger Taylor has officially announced that he will release his seventh solo album titled "Violence Insane In A Beautiful World" on September 18.

This move marks Taylor's comeback after last releasing the album "Outsider" in 2021, which successfully ranked third on the UK Charts.

As the opener of this new era, Taylor launched the first single titled "Come On Summer (It's Party Time)".

Interestingly, in this song he collaborated with Ndlovu Youth Choir, a choir from South Africa that went viral when they performed "Bohemian Rhapsody" in Zulu.

Broadly speaking, the album, which was recorded independently by Taylor with Joshua J. Macrae, explores the contradictions of modern life. Taylor tries to highlight the tension between the beauty of the earth and the turmoil of global conflicts that are heating up.

Although it is not a concept album, this recording summarizes his thoughts regarding environmental damage and political instability.

"There is a theme that is raised... how beautiful the world we live in is. Don't destroy it," said Taylor.

He also added a deep message about the current humanitarian situation. "Violence in the world seems to be as bad as it is... even though goodness is very important. However, it seems that it has been very often forgotten," he added.

Another interesting side of this album is the presence of Ndlovu Youth Choir in three different tracks. Taylor said this collaboration brought a new, transformative dimension to his musical work.

In addition, he also inserted a cover song by John Lennon, "Jealous Guy". According to him, the song is one of the best ballads ever written in the history of world music.

To celebrate the release of his latest work, the 76-year-old musician is ready to hold a short tour in England starting September 21.

The tour will be Taylor's only UK concert series of the year, starting in Newcastle and closing in Swansea at the end of September.