On his first new release since 2014,
Billy Idol
mixes his signature glam-punk posturing with a bit of the reflective tone that characterized 2014's introspective
Kings & Queens of the Underground
. At a scant four tracks,
The Roadside
EP hardly marks a major release from the veteran artist, but in lead single "Bitter Taste," he presents one of his better late-career offerings. Co-written with his longtime foil,
Steve Stevens
, it's a moody, minor-key gem inspired by
Idol
's traumatic 1990 motorcycle accident that nearly resulted in the amputation of his right leg. The similarly low-key "Baby Put Your Clothes Back On" is the EP's other standout and features some fine, dusty guitar twang from
Stevens
. The other two cuts, "Rita Hayworth" and "U Don't Have to Kiss Me Like That," are well-executed, if forgettable tracks that harken back to the singer's '80s heyday. ~ Timothy Monger