Chris Wolstenholme of Muse hints at new album release in 2026, with a caveat.

lk longer breaks after releasing and touring an album as they get older. This approach gives the band the opportunity to “reset” and think about their next direction.

“When you finish touring an album, and the band has been around a bit longer, the gaps between albums get a little bit bigger. I don’t think we can be banging out new albums every two years like we used to,” the 46-year-old musician explained. “But it gives you that opportunity to reset a little bit and think about what’s gonna happen going forward.”

He further added, “I think we’ll start very, very soon, like in the next couple of months. We’ve got a few gigs in June. Only a handful – that’s the only gigs we’re doing this year. I don’t think the idea is to do anything really serious until next year, so I would imagine that 2026 will be a new album, barring any disasters.”

Muse, consisting of frontman Matt Bellamy, drummer Dominic Howard, and Chris Wolstenholme, last released a studio album in 2022 titled “Will of the People.” The record featured tracks like “Compliance,” “Won’t Stand Down,” “You Make Me Feel Like It’s Halloween,” and “Kill or Be Killed.”

The band’s bassist discussed the group’s history with eight studio albums preceding the latest release. These albums include “Showbiz” (1999), “Origin of Symmetry” (2001), “Absolution” (2003), “Black Holes and Revelations” (2006), “The Resistance” (2009), “The 2nd Law” (2012), “Drones” (2015), and “Simulation Theory” (2018).

Looking ahead, Wolstenholme’s insights suggest Muse fans can anticipate a new album in 2026. As the band matures, they aim to take a more deliberate approach to their creative process, allowing for longer breaks between album cycles to rejuvenate creatively. With a dedicated focus and a few planned gigs, the band is gearing up for what could be their next musical journey in the upcoming year.