Kurt Vile, the undisputed king of laid-back psych-folk, is coming home. Today, Vile officially announced his highly anticipated new album, "Philadelphia's been good to me," set for release on May 29th, 2026, via Verve Records. To celebrate the announcement, Vile has shared the lead single and video, “Chance to Bleed,” and unveiled a massive global tour that includes a headline slot at London’s Troxy on September 9th.
A Love Letter to the City of Brotherly Love
Described by Uncut as "the most uplifting, life-affirming music he’s ever made," the new record is a sprawling, organic tribute to Vile's hometown. While his career has taken him across the globe, this project represents a "bringing it all back home" moment.
“I’m treating it like my last record. I put everything into it,” Vile explains. Captured primarily in his Mt. Airy basement studio—dubbed "OKV Central"—the album merges meandering balladry with "horizon-chasing" road songs. It features a high-fidelity shimmer that maintains the raw, DIY warmth of his early home recordings.
Lead Single: “Chance to Bleed”
The first taste of the album, “Chance to Bleed,” is what Vile calls a "hillbilly techno" barnburner. Recorded with his longtime band, The Violators, the track features guest appearances from underground legends including Greg Cartwright and Natalie Hoffman. The accompanying music video, filmed at Philadelphia institution Kung Fu Necktie, is a celebratory "hoot" featuring cameos from local heroes like comedian Jim E Brown and the legendary Schoolly D.
2026 World Tour
Following the album's release, Vile will embark on an extensive world tour throughout the summer and autumn of 2026. After a lengthy North American run, he arrives in Europe this August, with a dedicated string of UK and Ireland dates in September.
Key UK & Ireland Dates:
Sept 6: End of the Road Festival, Dorset
Sept 8: Chalk, Brighton
Sept 9: Troxy, London
Sept 11: The Ritz, Manchester
Sept 14: Vicar Street, Dublin
With 2026 marking a major year for Philadelphia—between America’s 250th anniversary and the World Cup—Vile’s latest offering arrives as the perfect soundtrack for the city’s spotlight moment.
