Slash Maintains Impact With His Fifth Studio Album Announcement

Slash Proves His Impact Isn’t Waning as He Announces Fifth Studio Album

Despite having a career that’s spanned over 40 years, Slash remains one of the busiest and most booked rock stars today. At 59, the British-American musician is still known for regularly touring and churning out new music. Earlier this year, he spent the first several months of 2024 on the road. From January until April, he was touring with Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators around the world. This tour featured UK stops, like Wembley, where crowds dressed in black leather and Guns N’ Roses merch flooded the area. Following this, the famed guitarist dived right into another tour, this time across the US.

Much to the joy of fans around the world, it seems that Slash isn’t letting up even as the year comes to a close. Just this September, he revealed that he and his band were already planning another studio album, further cementing his presence and legacy on the music scene.

Slash’s cultural impact

To the uninitiated, it might not make sense for a more mature rock star to still keep grinding as much as Slash does. Considering that the musician has made a reported net worth of nearly £90 million, there’s no doubt he has more than enough means to just take it easy. However, if there’s one thing that Slash is known for outside of killer riffs, it’s his commitment to his creative pursuits. For him, making and sharing music isn’t just a career; it’s a means of essential self-expression. This is also why Slash has carved out a name for himself in other creative avenues that are similarly lauded for celebrating uniqueness. Most notably, this includes his interest in fashion.

Since the 80s, Slash has been known to wear iconic sunglasses. Based on his countless press photos, he has become synonymous with wearing Ray-Ban Aviators. These are among the most popular styles from the legendary brand, including their prescription sunglasses line. As further evidence that this silhouette is a timeless classic, it’s been reimagined with new versions like gradient and mirrored lenses. According to an old radio interview, aside from aesthetics, Slash wears these shades because he’s sensitive to light.

Some have speculated that he may have an ocular condition similar to another famous musician, Bono. In 2014, the U2 frontman explained that the real reason he’d been wearing coloured glasses, usually from designer labels like Armani, was because he has glaucoma. Aside from his shades, another Slash fashion trademark is his top hat. In a CBS report, he admitted to having stolen the original hat from a store in Melrose before adding a conch belt to it. Over the years, he’s had reproductions made as needed. Much like his sunglasses, the hat also serves a deeper function, with the musical legend saying it helps keep him comfortable in front of crowds. To this day, the image of Slash in his shades and hat are among the most easily recognisable.

What fans can expect from Slash’s new album

Just last September 26th, Slash shared an image on social media showing himself and Conspirators bandmates in the studio. Posted on his official Instagram account, where he has 4.3 million followers, he captioned the image with, “Back at it for new record coming sooner than later. The three of us starting the initial framework. Then Frank, then Myles. Recording in November. RnFn! #Conspirators”. This is following an announcement he made in May, where he stated that they’d return to recording sometime “in the fall (autumn).”

This new album marks Slash’s fifth with the Conspirators since they first formally linked up in 2011. Their latest album, entitled “4”, was released in 2022. In the same year, the partners also released a special double live LP called “Live at Studio 60.” This featured four new songs, along with the group’s top five most successful hits. This includes numbers like You’re A Lie, World On Fire, Anastasia, and Driving Rain. In line with these past releases, it’s fair to assume that this fifth album may also feature a mix of old and new tracks. That said, it’s unlikely this new album will highlight any tracks from Guns N’ Roses, most especially not Sweet Child O’Mine. Aside from wanting to set up different musical tapestry between the two parties, Slash has been open about having a love-hate relationship with the mega-hit song. In the past, he’s said that although he appreciates it now for the reaction it receives, he’s not always been happy with the track since it veers away from their more hardcore persona and sound. The official release date for the album has not been shared, but many speculate it’s due no earlier than mid-2025. This is because Slash has also said that he’ll be busy during the first part of the new year with the Guns N’ Roses tour.