"57th & 9th" is the twelfth solo studio album by British singer-songwriter Sting, released on November 11, 2016. It marked his return to rock music after 13 years, following his more orchestral and jazz-oriented albums. The album is a reflection of Sting's thoughts on travel, loss, and the ongoing issues in the world, with a lot of themes inspired by personal experiences and significant cultural events.
Sting recorded 57th & 9th over three months, with the tight deadline contributing to the album's "urgent" feel. The album's title refers to the intersection of 57th Street and 9th Avenue in New York City, where Sting crossed every day on his way to Avatar Studios in Hell's Kitchen, where much of the album was recorded. In a video, Sting described the album as spontaneous and full of rock 'n' roll, with themes surrounding "searching, travelling, the road, and the pull of the unknown."
"50,000" was written in the week following the deaths of several influential musicians, including Prince, David Bowie, Glenn Frey, and Lemmy. The song reflects Sting's emotions in the wake of these losses. "One Fine Day" addresses the issue of climate change, pleading for global sanity in the face of environmental destruction. "Inshallah" is inspired by the struggles faced by refugees, particularly in the Middle East, with the Arabic word "Inshallah" meaning "If God wills" or "If it's God's will." "The Empty Chair" is a tribute to American journalist James Foley, who was kidnapped and executed by ISIS in 2014.
Sting actively promoted the album through a series of live performances and social media teasers. He debuted the studio version of "I Can't Stop Thinking About You" in August 2016, followed by live performances and the release of acoustic and audio versions of other songs like "50,000" and "Petrol Head" on YouTube. He also performed live at a small show at Irving Plaza in New York City in November 2016 and played a special concert on November 12, 2016, in Paris to commemorate the reopening of the Bataclan theater, where he performed alongside French guitarist Henry Padovani for a moving performance that included 57th & 9th tracks.
The album was well received, selling over 600,000 copies worldwide in 2016, and featured the song "The Empty Chair," which earned Sting a nomination for Best Original Song at the 89th Academy Awards, although the award ultimately went to "City of Stars" from La La Land.
57th & 9th represents a return to Sting's roots in rock music and reflects his reaction to global events, personal loss, and the changing world around him. The album's mix of reflective lyrics and rock instrumentation brought critical acclaim and commercial success, reaffirming Sting's place as a respected and versatile artist.
