Kings of Leon Begin Pre-Production on New Album

Kings of Leon have begun pre-production on their seventh studio album and first since 2013’s Mechanical Bull. “The main thing on the calendar for 2016 is getting the record finished,” drummer Nathan Followill told The Associated Press in a New Year’s-themed interview. “And then the whole press machine kicks up and doing press for the record.”

Singer-guitarist Caleb Followill stressed the band’s enthusiasm, adding, “We’re all in a good place … and we’re all excited to do something new.” The quartet is planning to record in Los Angeles – rather than Nashville, their home base for the past 15 years – in an attempt to “get a little change of scenery.” 

“Our first two albums we recorded in L.A., so we’re going to try to go back and see if it inspires us,” Caleb said. “If it doesn’t, we always have a studio at home, so we can always come back.”

In June, the brothers told Sirius XM’s Alt Nation that their goal was to “get the album written by the end of the year.” They also mentioned potential recording locales, including an interesting spot near their Nashville home studio. “It was built in 1841 and the guy that lived there was actually Dolly Parton’s engineer,” Nathan said. “It’s a really rad place and I think we can do something cool with it. And you know if we go in there and it sounds like shit, we can just go across the street.”

Kings of Leon will welcome 2016 with a headlining performance at Nashville’s New Year’s Eve celebration. Asked by the AP about their New Year’s resolutions, Caleb noted, “I am just looking forward to enjoying what we are doing a little more, not getting overwhelmed by the moments that are overwhelming and just kinda enjoy it. And try to be a better me.”

“To not eat my feelings and to lose some weight,” Nathan added. “2016 is going to be fun with the new record and all that. I am sure some of us are probably going to grow our families. Some of us will not. 2016 is going to be a good year, I got a feeling.”