KillerStar operate in a space very few bands occupy, and “Rubicon” makes that unmistakably clear. The new single from the art-rock duo of Rob Fleming and James Sedge is out now, previewing their second album ‘The Afterglow’, and it’s one of the most ambitious tracks they’ve released to date.
“Rubicon” is epic in both scope and duration, unfolding like a journey with progressive leanings held in perfect balance with the band’s commitment to making every moment count. The cast assembled around Fleming and Sedge is extraordinary, a constellation of David Bowie’s most trusted collaborators who have each organically gravitated toward the project over time.
Gerry Leonard contributes ambient guitar work, Earl Slick delivers a sprawling, fluid solo alongside Fleming, and Mark Garson’s atmospheric keys add the kind of depth that only comes from someone who has inhabited this sonic world for decades. Mark Plati handles bass, The Webb Sisters, known for their work with David Gilmour and Leonard Cohen, bring ethereal vocal harmonies, and Emm Grynor adds backing vocals.
The lyrical foundation is equally ambitious. Fleming draws on one of history’s most consequential decisions as a lens for personal ones. “The song is about crossing the point of no return, on two levels, Julius Caesar’s crossing of the Rubicon River and anyone’s individual decision points regarding tackling tough decisions.”
‘The Afterglow’ was produced by Fleming and Sedge alongside Dave Eringa, whose credits include Manic Street Preachers and The Who, who also mixed the record. The result is an album rich with glam, art-rock, hook-laden pop, and touches of jazz, all anchored by killer melodies and lyrical themes on life, love, and remembering.
The duo’s self-titled debut earned praise from MOJO, Louder Than War, and Vintage Guitar. ‘The Afterglow’ builds on that foundation while pushing into something more fully realized and more sonically expansive than anything they’ve attempted before.