Sturgill Simpson, the Kentucky-born singer-songwriter best known for reshaping modern Americana and progressive country, has dropped one of the most intriguing announcements of the year. Under his alter ego Johnny Blue Skies, Simpson has revealed a brand-new album titled Mutiny After Midnight, hitting shelves (and turntables) on March 13, 2026.
Image Credit: Sturgill Simpson, 2016. Photo by Carl Lender. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 (CC BY 2.0) via Wikimedia Commons.
The Next Chapter in Simpson’s Musical Evolution
Simpson has been a chameleon throughout his career — from the gritty outlaw roots of High Top Mountain and Metamodern Sounds in Country Music to the heartfelt soul of A Sailor’s Guide to Earth. In recent years, he made a deliberate choice to release only five albums under the name Sturgill Simpson. To keep creating music beyond that promise, he adopted the vibrant alter ego Johnny Blue Skies.
His first LP under this moniker, Passage Du Desir, arrived in July 2024, signaling a new era of genre-bending exploration. Now, Mutiny After Midnight picks up the thread — this time with a bold perspective and an electric groove at its core.
A Dance Record With a Rebellious Heart
Mutiny After Midnight isn’t just another album — Simpson describes it as “a mutiny”, a declaration against stagnation and a celebration of rhythmic freedom. Rather than sticking to the country and rock elements he’s known for, the record sets its sights squarely on groove and movement, blending disco inflections, fusion-inspired harmonies, and raw songwriting energy.
Recorded at Easy Eye Sound Studios in Nashville with his band Johnny Blue Skies & the Dark Clouds, the sessions were intentionally spontaneous — songs and lyrics were written in the moment, giving the album a dynamic, almost live feel.
Simpson’s manifesto for the album is equal parts joyful and defiant. As he put it, this is music meant not just to be heard — but to be felt, lived, and danced to.
The Album That Can’t Be Streamed
In a bold move that flies in the face of streaming culture, Mutiny After Midnight will be released only on physical formats — vinyl, CD, and cassette — with no digital streaming at launch. This decision underscores Simpson’s philosophy that music should be a tangible experience, and it’s already created buzz among fans and collectors alike.
The nine-track album kicks off with the provocative opener “Make America Fuk Again”, setting the tone for an album that balances social commentary with relentless dance grooves. Other standouts include “Excited Delirium,” “Venus,” and “Everyone Is Welcome.”
Image Credit: Sturgill Simpson performing live at MGM Music Hall at Fenway, 2023. Photo by David McClister. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 (CC BY 2.0) via Wikimedia Commons.
What’s Next for Johnny Blue Skies
With Mutiny After Midnight set to make landfall in March, anticipation is high. Beyond its pressing plant rollout, Simpson’s focus appears to be on delivering music that connects deeply with listeners, cuts through cultural noise, and invites people to move and reflect simultaneously.
If the first Johnny Blue Skies album was a herald of creative reinvention, then this one could be the full declaration of independence — from genre, expectation, and convention. Count on this being one of the most talked-about records of 2026.