"Concrete and Gold" is the ninth studio album by the American rock band Foo Fighters, released on September 15, 2017. It marks the band's first collaboration with producer Greg Kurstin, known for his work in pop music. The album blends hard rock with pop sensibilities, reflecting on themes of hope and desperation influenced by the charged political climate of the 2016 U.S. elections and Donald Trump's presidency.
Recording began in late 2016 after Dave Grohl's recovery from an injury sustained during the Sonic Highways World Tour. With a set of song ideas in hand, Grohl and the band worked with Kurstin, who was new to rock music production. The recording sessions at EastWest Studios in Hollywood led to collaborations with artists like Shawn Stockman, Justin Timberlake, and Paul McCartney. The album also introduced Rami Jaffee as a permanent member, although he had previously been a session and touring keyboardist for the band.
Concrete and Gold was well-received by critics for its expansive sound and lyrical depth, though some felt it did not significantly deviate from the band's previous work. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling 120,000 copies in its first week and topping twelve other national charts. Singles "Run" and "The Sky Is a Neighborhood" both achieved number one status on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart. To promote the album, Foo Fighters embarked on a headlining tour in the latter half of 2017.
