Panic! At The Disco has given us all another glimpse of the forthcoming album Viva Las Vengeance, in the form of the snappy Local God. An instantly addictive earworm of a track, Local God again showcases Brendon Urie's diverse pool of sonic references, calling to mind the likes of Billy Joel, Billy Idol and Elton John, while still sounding uniquely Panic! 

Lyrically Local God plays like a humorous retort to a certain type of local music scene elitist that has long given Panic! and other successful crossover acts grief. 

Local God follows recent single Middle Of A Breakup and Viva Las Vengeance in previewing the highly anticipated new full-length Viva Las Vengeance.

The highly-stylized video for Middle Of A Breakup was directed by Brendan Walter (Viva Las Vengeance, High Hopes) and has a real old-school vibe that many are comparing to cinematic favourite Grease. 

Brendon Urie refers to the track as "the theme song for all of our breakup seasons" and the lyrics make that subject matter abundantly clear, recounting repeated failures to leave a broken relationship, due to particularly strong sexual chemistry. Co-writen by Urie wit frequent collaborators Jake Sinclair and Mike Viola, the 50s influenced melodies of Middle Of A Breakup sit quite naturally with the video treatment, continuing the vintage vibe of the rollout of the forthcoming album Viva Las Vengeance, following first single Viva Las Vengeance. 

The album's titular track, released in June is an expansive pop-rock anthem that covers a dizzying amount of sonic territory,  showing off both Brendon Urie's stellar voice and his distinctive knack for crafting earworms that hook you in ways you never see coming.  The accompanying video, directed by Brendon Walter, presents Panic! At The Disco as the 'hot new thing' on an old-school late-night TV show. It has a real 'old vegas' quality to it that perfectly suits the song's nostalgia-fueled sonic and lyrical undertones.

Viva Las Vengeance was recorded by Urie in Los Angeles, cutting the entire album live to tape and working with his friends/production partners, Jake Sinclaire and Mike Viola. The record also features Butch Walker on several tracks.  

Speaking about Viva Las Vengeance Brendon Urie says.

"It is a look back at who I was 17 years ago, and who I am now with the fondness I didn't have before. I didn’t realize I was making an album and there was something about the tape machine that kept me honest"

Further, the band shared a statement that reads Viva Las Vengeance  is

“a cinematic musical journey about the fine line between taking advantage of your youth, seizing the day and burning out.” From the perspective of frontman/songwriter Brendon Urie, this album “[takes] an introspective look into his relationship with his decade-plus career including growing up in Las Vegas, love, and fame.”

Panic! At the Disco has also announced a world tour in support of Viva Las Vengeance, with an extensive run of dates in North America and the UK already announced.  One dollar from each ticket sold will go to the band's own Highest Hopes Foundation, which was "created to support the efforts of non-profit organizations that lead, develop, and advocate support for human rights. this is dedicated to all people + communities who are subject to discrimination or abuse on the basis of gender, race, religion, sexual orientation + gender identity." As for when Australia might feature on the world tour, we'll have to wait and see. In the meantime, we can all get hyped knowing that Viva Las Vengeance is only months away.  

Viva Las Vengeance 

Tracklisting

1. Viva Las Vengeance

2. Middle of a Breakup

3. Don’t Let The Light Go Out

4. Local God

5. Star Spangled Banger

6. God Killed Rock And Roll

7. Say It Louder

8. Sugar Soaker

9. Something About Maggie

10. Sad Clown

11. All By Yourself

12. Do It To Death

Listen to Panic! At The Disco