Out Music: Tyler Glenn EXCOMMUNICATION

Tyler Glenn

Tyler Glenn, lead vocalist for Neon Trees, drops his debut solo album EXCOMMUNICATION today.

Via press release:

Known for such multi-platinum hits as “Animal” and “Everybody Talks,” the band has released three albums including 2014’s Pop Psychology (Island Records), which debuted at No. 6 on The Billboard 200, at No. 1 on the iTunes Alternative Album Chart and within the Top 5 of the Overall iTunes Album Chart.

The New York Times, which welcomed Glenn for this recent Popcast, noted that the “fiery solo album questions almost everything Tyler Glenn used to believe in.”

Raised as a Mormon, Glenn came out as gay in a 2014 interview with Rolling Stone and remained steadfast in his faith until last fall, when the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) announced a new policy identifying those in a same-sex marriage as apostates and prohibiting their children from being blessed or baptized. The announcement threw Glenn – and many others – into a tailspin.

“I don’t think there’s ever been an album like this,” marveled Billboard. Rage observed, “It’s like listening to the seven stages of the grieving process: Shock/disbelief, denial, bargaining, guilt, anger, depression and acceptance/hope. It’s all there, inviting us to take what we need from it and move forward, just as he did.” The Salt Lake City Tribune said, “Glenn doesn't just want to throw spiritual struggles in your face — he wants you to dance, too, and the soul-baring lyrics are matched with plenty of stomping '80s-retro synths and beats that Neon Trees fans will find familiar. Ultimately, the dance floor is the church Glenn thinks everyone should belong to.”

Billboard praised the video for lead single “Shameless” as “provocative.” The clip, which, can be viewed HERE, was directed by Mike Harris, who also helmed the controversial video for “Trash.” Rolling Stone premiered the “Trash” video, observing, “his solo debut is as political as it is personal” and praising Glenn’s performance in the video as “incendiary.”

Speaking at length to The Advocate, Glenn described the cathartic experience of writing and creating the new album. “I feel like I’m unwiring so much guilt and shame. I think back on my 20s, and I was always feeling bad for who I was. So being shameless is important for me. I feel like the God that I came to know through religion was a loving creator that wanted me to come back to him. And now I don’t even know if it’s a 'him.' I don’t know what it is. And I don’t want to feel bad for existing any more.”

Check out the music video for lead single "Shameless" below.

EXCOMMUNICATION is available on all digital download sites including iTunes.