Talking Heads is a band that has left a generational legacy. Dating back to the late 1970s with its debut album “Talking Heads: 77,” the instantly infectious and unorthodox grooves led by vocalist David Byrne’s eccentric scatting make for a listen you won’t find anywhere else. The re-release of its 1984 concert film “Stop Making Sense” into theaters in the summer of 2023 was a smash hit, receiving consensus critical acclaim. A24 has decided to take it up a notch, announcing its tribute album “Everyone’s Getting Involved,” containing sixteen songs from sixteen different artists. This should be interesting.

The lineup includes the following: Miley Cyrus, Lorde, Paramore, girl in red, The National, Teezo Touchdown, Kevin Abstract, BADBADNOTGOOD, Toro y Moi, Blondshell, DJ Tunez, Jean Dawson, Chicano Batman, The Linda Lindas, El Mató and The Cavemen. If your first reaction was to close your eyes, shake your head and reread the list, that is completely normal. I did the exact same thing.

There is so much to digest here. I think incorporating a wide variety of artists, not just in terms of genre but popularity, is a stroke of genius. With A24 being the media conglomerate it is, producing an album full of household names as well as up-and-comers feels like a perfect recipe for success. Ranging from Miley Cyrus’ power-pop to Teezo Touchdown’s off-center hip-hop to DJ Tunez’s easygoing Afropop, this project is destined to zigzag back and forth between soundscapes. Byrne and Co. wouldn’t have it any other way.

The first single for the album was released in late January, which was Paramore’s rendition of “Burning Down the House.” The remix finds Paramore seamlessly incorporating elements of the original with sprinkles of their own punk-based touch. The buoyant 80s-style synths as well as the echoey and punchy yet subdued drum beats are still at the forefront, and lead vocalist Hayley Williams makes her best attempt at replicating the grimy scat that Byrne mastered. While it is catchy and is a valiant effort at recreating the magic of this song, it just doesn’t strike the same chord with me that the original does. However, this release left me feeling relatively hopeful for what’s to come with the rest of the album.

Let’s get into some of the artists I’m most certainly looking forward to hearing on this. The first artist that came to mind immediately was BADBADNOTGOOD. Something that both Talking Heads and BADBADNOTGOOD do exceptionally well is assimilate polyrhythmic textures into their music. One example of this polyrhythmic expertise can be found in their collaboration with KAYTRANADA called “Lavender.” Although the track is merely an instrumental, it showcases the band’s ability to incorporate an interesting array of sounds and still make it palatable. While they approach these polyrhythms quite differently, I believe BADBADNOTGOOD’s tenured experience in this repertoire makes them a prime candidate to put something out of high quality.

Another artist that I have high hopes for is Chicano Batman. I was both genuinely shocked and unequivocally thrilled to see them on the feature list, as I think they are undoubtedly one of the most underrated bands on the scene right now. They incorporate elements of funk, R&B and classic rock with overtly political lyrics. Like BADBADNOTGOOD, they also excel at polyrhythmic soundscapes, but the element of theirs that I’m most excited to hear in a Talking Heads format is lead singer Bardo Martinez’s voice. Martinez offers a balanced mix of baritone croons and a silky-smooth falsetto, a blend that I think will fit in uniquely well with the Talking Heads-style soundscapes I’d assume we’ll hear. Consider this a ringing endorsement of Chicano Batman as a whole.

Now, unfortunately, on to the artist that I could live without on a project like this. The first artist that I’m not looking forward to hearing on this is, sadly, The National. I’ve been on the record with the Daily Emerald before stating my unwavering love for them, but I just can’t imagine them producing a song that would fit into this style. Sure, they have (in my opinion) one of the greatest drummers of all time and a lead vocalist who could potentially match the shouted delivery of Byrne, but they’ve spent the past decade venturing deeper and deeper into lush, indie-pop territory. Many people call The National “sad dad” music, which couldn’t be more different than what Talking Heads is known for. It crushes my soul to say this, but I would be surprised if The National delivered a high-quality cover.

With all of this being said, nothing I said here is the universal truth. BADBADNOTGOOD and Chicano Batman could put out shameful duds, while The National could create the greatest cover in the history of mankind. You never know. But given my experience consuming all three of these bands at a higher rate than most, I feel reasonably confident that my predictions will come to light.