The Flaming Lips Announce New Album The Teardrop Throbs on Third Man Records, Share New Song: Stream

After a nearly seven-year hiatus in studio album releases, The Flaming Lips have announced their latest project, The Teardrop Throbs. Set to launch on January 22, 2027, this album marks the band’s first with Third Man Records, the label spearheaded by Jack White and his partners. It also represents a new chapter for the band following the departure of longtime members Michael Ivins and Steven Drozd.

The Teardrop Throbs is the band's 17th studio effort and follows their 2020 release, American Head. Production credits include the band themselves alongside notable collaborators Dave Fridmann, Taylor Johnson, and Scott Booker. The album's thematic core draws heavily on lead singer Wayne Coyne’s reflections on fatherhood, mortality, and everyday surrealism, with influences from classic cinema weaving through the compositions.

To promote the album, The Flaming Lips will embark on a series of intimate underplay performances across major cities including Nashville, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and London. Each city’s engagement consists of two nights: the first featuring the new album played in full paired with a set of songs from the band's 1986 to 1999 catalog, and the second night presenting reimagined tracks from The Teardrop Throbs followed by selections from their 21st-century output.

This tour promises rare live experiences, with the band pledging to perform tracks that have either never been played live or have not been part of their setlist for decades. This approach offers both longtime fans and newcomers a distinctive way to experience The Flaming Lips’ extensive repertoire.

The lead single, "God Will Control the Werewolves," has already been released and showcases the band's signature psychedelic rock sound enriched by an atmospheric piano introduction. The track’s abrupt ending hints at a seamless flow between songs on the forthcoming album, suggesting a conceptual continuity throughout the record.

The album’s tracklist reveals a variety of intriguing titles, including "Throb," "Titan," "Instructions On How To Draw An Eyeball or How To Deal With A Loved One Who Is Addicted To Drugs," and "Ego Tripping at the Gates of Hell Part Two." These titles imply a blend of personal narrative and surreal storytelling reflective of Coyne’s lyrical approach.

Coyne’s commentary around the album reveals that much of the creative process was influenced by his experiences as a father and his meditations on loss and vulnerability. The genesis of some tracks is tied to deeply personal moments, such as observing his child’s innocence juxtaposed with thoughts of mortality, which became a recurring motif throughout the project.

The Flaming Lips have structured the album and its live presentation to emphasize both continuity and reinvention, blending new compositions with revisited classics. This strategy underscores their evolution as artists while honoring the emotional and sonic hallmarks that have defined their career.

Tickets for the upcoming tour will be available through a tiered pre-sale starting October 28, 2026, followed by a general sale on October 30 via Ticketmaster. Fans are encouraged to engage early through Live Nation’s All Access membership to secure spots for these exclusive performances.

With The Teardrop Throbs, The Flaming Lips not only deliver their first album on a new label but also navigate a transformative period marked by lineup changes and personal growth. This release and the accompanying tour reaffirm their enduring presence and innovative spirit in the psychedelic rock genre.