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
