American Football’s fourth studio album ‘LP4’ is out now via Polyvinyl Record Co., and lead single “Bad Moons” is the kind of opening move that makes clear exactly where this record lives. Eight minutes long, produced by Sonny DiPerri, and built from 2 separate demos fused into a single piece, it earns every second of its runtime.
The track opens with interwoven guitar melodies, a repeating harp sample, atmospheric effects, and soft confessional vocals from Mike Kinsella before its second half builds into a frenetic, driving jam and closes on a sobering coda. Kinsella describes the song as beginning from the perspective of a child, or two children stacked in a trench coat secretly living the life of a grown man, accumulating missteps and guilt along the way. “By the end, these missteps are almost spilling out of the boys,” he says. “A cathartic confession, hopefully at least somewhat relatable to anyone listening who’s ever lived a life.”
The video, directed by Alex Acy and Remi Belleville and anchored in rural Canada, traces the turbulent transition from boyhood to manhood in slow-motion montage. “Part of growing up is realizing you can only become more empathetic with others once you become empathetic with yourself,” Acy says. “Boys often have a harder time grasping this, which leads to a lot of dumb and regrettable actions.”
‘LP4’ sees the band overhauling their writing and recording processes to create their most sonically ambitious album to date, layered, dissonant, occasionally confrontational, and always deeply felt. The album reflects on disorientation, compromise, grief, and the hard-won perspective of middle age, and “Bad Moons” maps that emotional territory with real precision.
The world tour runs through August, with dates across the US, Europe, UK, Japan, and Canada. Several dates are already sold out, a second London show has been added, and upgraded venues in Philadelphia and Toronto reflect the demand this band continues to generate.
2026 Tour Dates:
May 24 – The Observatory North Park, San Diego, CA (Sold Out) with Mei Semones
June 19 – Alcatraz, Milan, Italy with Marconi Union
June 20 – Im Wizeman, Stuttgart, Germany with Marconi Union
June 21 – Die Kantine, Cologne, Germany with Marconi Union
June 23 – La Madeleine, Brussels, Belgium with Marconi Union
June 24 – Paradiso, Amsterdam, Netherlands with Marconi Union
June 26 – O2 Academy, Leeds, UK with Marconi Union
June 27 – O2 Kentish Forum, London, UK with Marconi Union
June 28 – O2 Kentish Forum, London, UK with Marconi Union (Second Date)
July 8 – Royale, Boston, MA with IAN SWEET
July 9 – Brooklyn Paramount, New York, NY with IAN SWEET
July 10 – Franklin Music Hall, Philadelphia, PA with IAN SWEET (New Venue)
July 11 – 9:30 Club, Washington, DC with IAN SWEET
July 14 – The National, Richmond, VA with IAN SWEET
July 15 – Orange Peel, Asheville, NC with IAN SWEET (Sold Out)
July 16 – Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, GA with IAN SWEET
July 26 – Fuji Rock Festival, Niigata, Japan
August 7 – House of Blues, Cleveland, OH with Afternoon Bike Ride
August 8 – History, Toronto, ON with Afternoon Bike Ride (New Venue)
August 9 – Roxian Theatre, Pittsburgh, PA with Afternoon Bike Ride
August 10 – Newport Music Hall, Columbus, OH with Afternoon Bike Ride
August 12 – Marathon Music Works, Nashville, TN with Afternoon Bike Ride
August 13 – Deluxe at Old National Centre, Indianapolis, IN with Afternoon Bike Ride
August 14 – The Salt Shed, Chicago, IL with Afternoon Bike Ride
August 15 – Turner Hall Ballroom, Milwaukee, WI with Afternoon Bike Ride
August 16 – First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN with Afternoon Bike Ride