Say Nothing (album)

Did You Know?

• Additional recording was done by Connolly at The Panic Room in Burbank, California and by Nikolaj Torp Larsen at Eastcote Studio 4 in London.
• The band spent six weeks in an Airbnb while recording in London.

Background and development

Theory of a Deadman's sound had been rooted in alternative and hard rock since signing with 604 Records in 2001. Lead singer Tyler Connolly said that after the 2011 album The Truth Is..., the label pressured the band to create a "more poppy" album, but they responded with the 2014 album Savages, which Connolly described as the "opposite" of the label's wishes. The group had worked with producer Howard Benson on Savages and three prior albums but wanted a change. Their A&R team suggested Martin Terefe, known for working with pop rock artists like Jason Mraz, James Blunt, and Train, and the band spent seven weeks in London in 2016 recording at Terefe's Kensaltown Studios. The sixth album Wake Up Call (2017) marked a departure from hard rock into pop and pop rock, a shift credited to Connolly learning piano. He felt creatively exhausted with guitar, and bassist Dean Back noted that writing on piano opened a new creative realm. Wake Up Call received mixed reviews, with some praising lyrical maturity and others criticizing the genre change.

Music and lyrics

Say Nothing is described by the band as a "continuation of the last record." Connolly felt anxiety due to the success of Wake Up Call's lead single "Rx (Medicate)", which addressed prescription drug abuse. Though Theory of a Deadman had avoided social and political topics, positive feedback for that song led them to write about domestic violence, racism, depression, anxiety, and politics. Connolly said the album allowed him to say things he was previously afraid to, moving from relationship-driven lyrics to commentary on world events and American politics. Guitarist Dave Brenner called the record a "microcosm of our current era." The album incorporates brass instruments, gospel choirs, and piano. Connolly noted the band sought new instrumentation and production to stay inspired. A private tour of Abbey Road Studios, particularly referencing The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, also inspired them. The lead single "History of Violence" addresses domestic abuse; its music video was released on September 25, 2019. Connolly said the #MeToo movement influenced the song, aiming to help those affected feel supported.

Promotion and singles

Three songs were released before the album: "History of Violence" on September 25, 2019, "Strangers" on November 8, and the title track on December 13. "World Keeps Spinning" was released on January 31, 2020, alongside a music video on the band's YouTube channel. Pre-orders began on September 25 with "History of Violence" as an instant grat download; "Strangers" was added on November 8. The band headlined a Canadian tour starting January 31, 2020. An American tour with 10 Years was scheduled to begin April 9 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A tour with Breaking Benjamin, Bush, Saint Asonia, and Cory Marks, set for July 15 to September 8, 2020, was canceled in May 2020 because of the pandemic.