Again in June, the legendary Mavis Staples launched a canopy of Frank Ocean’s “Godspeed.” Now, that additional stirring rendition has itself a correct dwelling as a part of Staples’ upcoming fifteenth solo album, Unhappy And Stunning World, due out November seventh by way of ANTI-.
The ten-track album (her first since 2019’s We Get By) was produced by Brad Cook dinner (Bon Iver, Waxahatchee, and Nathaniel Rateliff) and is alleged to span “seven a long time of the American songbook — a variety practically as huge as Mavis’ profession — and contains reinventions of timeless songs in addition to authentic music,” based on an announcement. Throughout this musical journey, Staples is joined by suite of mates and fellow legendary expertise, together with Buddy Man, Bonnie Raitt, Jeff Tweedy, Derek Vehicles, Katie Crutchfield, MJ Lenderman, and Justin Vernon.
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Irrespective of the visitor, although, Unhappy And Stunning World is Staples at her most beguiling and compelling. The assertion goes on to say that it’s Staples engaging in “what solely she will be able to do…embracing vulnerability, she sings shut and deep right here, drawing the listener right into a circle crammed along with her unforgettable presence.”
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It’s additionally very a lot a file not nearly indulging the important songs of the previous, however confronting present-day troubles as Staples “stands side-by-side with us within the face of risks she is aware of all too effectively, at a time when increasingly folks have cause to surprise who and what could possibly be misplaced.”
For his half, Cook dinner tried to maintain the main focus solely on Staples’ vocals; the assertion stated that every track “started with spare skeleton recordings, simply drum and piano…to by no means to overshadow or undermine the framework [Staples had] established.” He likened the method to Nitty Gritty Filth Band’s Will the Circle Be Unbroken with “a bunch of artists coming collectively to rejoice neighborhood — on this case, one centered on Mavis.”
Along with the aforementioned “Godspeed,” Unhappy And Stunning World incorporates a cowl of Kevin Morby’s 2020 single “Stunning Strangers.” In Staples’ greater than succesful fingers, the track takes on new life as she sings strains like “In case you ever hear the gunshot… consider mom / I’m a rock” with most private heat and energy. Hearken to it under.
In an announcement, Morby described Staples as among the many “most essential vocalists and cultural figures of each the twentieth and twenty first century,” and that her corresponding cowl is a private {and professional} excessive.
“Listening to Mavis sing ‘Stunning Strangers’ is fingers down the best second and highest honor of my profession,” Morby stated. “Far past any sort of accolade or acclaim — having considered one of my greatest heroes sing one thing I wrote is essentially the most validating and flattering factor that might ever occur to me as a songwriter and particular person. Thanks, Mavis. Mavis additionally wields that extraordinarily uncommon energy to take a track any individual else wrote and make it solely her personal. As the one that penned ‘Stunning Strangers’ I really feel I’ve each proper to say; her model is healthier.”
Regardless of the deeply private nature of Unhappy And Stunning World, the file nearly by no means got here to cross. Staples, who’s now 86 years outdated, practically retired in 2023. In the end, she determined to not within the title of the everlasting optimism she’s all the time championed by way of her music.
“It’s a must to keep hopeful and have religion that issues are going to get higher,” Staples stated by way of the assertion, including, “I simply must ship the compassion I really feel. I need to share the track the best way I really feel it.”
Along with the album information and single, Staples has expanded her present tour schedule to incorporate 2026 dates. Following a handful of reveals in September and October of this yr, she’ll play the Chicago Theatre, Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, and New York’s Beacon Theatre in January and February 2026. The total itinerary is under. Get tickets right here.
Unhappy And Stunning World Tracklist:
1. Chicago
2. Stunning Strangers
3. Unhappy And Stunning World
4. Human Thoughts
5. Exhausting Occasions
6. Godspeed
7. We Acquired To Have Peace
8. Anthem
9. Happy Thoughts
10. Everyone Wants Love
Mavis Staples 2025/2026 Tour Dates:
09/06 – Lone Tree, CO @ Lone Tree Arts Middle
09/11 – Solana Seashore, CA @ Stomach Up Tavern
09/13 – Napa, CA @ Blue Observe Summer time Periods
10/01 – Stoughton, WI @ Stoughton Opera Home
10/02 – Stoughton, WI @ Stoughton Opera Home
10/04 – Memphis, TN @ Mempho Fest
10/09 – Tucson, AZ @ Fox Theatre
10/11 – Prescott, AZ @ Jim & Linda Lee Performing Arts Middle
11/12 – Chandler, AZ @ Chandler Middle for the Arts
01/10 – Chicago, IL @ Chicago Theatre *
01/24 – Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium
02/28 – New York, NY @ Beacon Theatre #
* = w/ Nathaniel Rateliff
# = Allison Russell