American Football Unveil 8-Minute Epic 'Bad Moons' Ahead of LP4

American Football have released their first new material in five years with the arrival of 'Bad Moons', an expansive single that stretches past the eight-minute mark. The track arrives as the lead offering from their forthcoming fourth studio album, arriving May 1 through Polyvinyl Records.

The emo veterans last delivered a full-length record in 2019 with 'LP3'. This upcoming effort marks a significant return after a seven-year gap between studio albums.

Frontman Mike Kinsella has explained the creative foundation behind 'Bad Moons', which originated from two distinct compositional sketches. "'Bad Moons' is actually a Frankenstein of two different demos we'd been passing around for quite a while: one playful, with children playing and toy-pianos plinking; one brooding, with guitars screeching and drums bombasting," he shared. The production work came courtesy of Sonny DiPerri.

Kinsella wrestled with blending the contrasting emotional registers embedded in the track's DNA. The song opens with delicate, intricate guitar work before transforming into something far more aggressive and unwieldy. "I decided to begin the song as a child. Or, rather…two. Stacked up in a single trench coat; secretly, reluctantly living the life of a grown man, accruing all of his missteps and guilt along the way," he explained. "By the end, these missteps are almost spilling out of the boys. A cathartic confession, hopefully at least somewhat relatable to anyone listening who's ever lived a life."

A music video directed by Alex Acy accompanies the single's release.

The announcement comes alongside news of expanded tour commitments for 2026. American Football have added a second London show at O2 Kentish Town Forum on June 28, following initial June 26 and 27 dates in Leeds and London respectively. Tickets for the additional show go on sale Friday, February 27 at 10am, with organizers citing "massive demand" as the reason for the extra date.

The band spent much of 2024 and early 2025 celebrating the 25th anniversary of their debut 'LP1', released in 1999. Last year's tour cycle included a performance at London's Roundhouse and a slot at Manchester's Outbreak Fest. A reissued version of that landmark album featured cover versions from artists including Ethel Cain and Blondshell.

Between 'LP3' and now, the Chicago group have maintained modest output—releasing the original song 'Rare Symmetry' in 2021 and a cover of Mazzy Star's 'Fade Into You'. The band's relevance has extended beyond nostalgic appreciation, with contemporary artists like Hayley Williams and Matty Healy citing them as influences. In a 2024 interview, Kinsella acknowledged the tension between being perceived as a heritage act versus a working contemporary band. "I don't know if we're like a nostalgia band," he reflected. "In my mind we're not, 'cause I know how hard I'm working to write new stuff all the time and try new things."