A Perfect Circle Release New Single "Starless" and Confirm New Music in the Works

A Perfect Circle returned to the studio and the airwaves on May 27 2026 with the single “Starless.” The track, released on Apple Music and Spotify, is the band’s first original song since the 2024 single “Kindred” from the Sessanta E.P.P.P. EP. The four‑minute single was recorded at guitarist Billy Howerdel’s Lankershim Ranch Studio in California and features drummer Josh Freese on the kit.

In a May 28 interview with Minneapolis station 93X, Howerdel confirmed that the release is the beginning of a larger creative cycle. He said, “There’s more [music] underway. And in the spirit of soft deadlines, I’m not gonna give you the date, but we’re working toward something.” The comment follows the band’s announcement that they are currently touring Europe, a schedule that has slowed the pace of studio work. Howerdel added, “We’re on tour. It’s hard to get solid things done when you’re out here… So to get real cracking on the new album, it’s gonna be… I need a couple more of these days to line up over the next tour.”

The single’s release came just before the start of the European tour, which began in June 2026. The tour includes dates across the UK, Germany, France, and Italy, and is the first time the group has performed live in many of those markets since the 2018 album Eat the Elephant. The tour also marks the return of the current lineup—Billy Howerdel on guitar, Maynard James Keenan on vocals, James Iha on guitar, Matt McJunkins on bass, and Josh Freese on drums.

Howerdel highlighted Keenan’s work ethic as a key factor in keeping the band moving forward. He said, “When it’s time to work, we’re kind of in it… Once the train starts rolling, it’s rolling.” This sentiment echoes the collaborative pattern that has defined A Perfect Circle since its 1999 formation by Howerdel and Keenan. The band’s discography includes the 2000 debut Mer de Noms, the 2003 follow‑up Thirteenth Step, the 2004 cover‑song album Emotive, and the 2018 studio release Eat the Elephant. After a period of inactivity following 2018, the group re‑emerged in 2024 with the brief tour that produced “Kindred.”

While no formal album announcement has been issued, the band’s statements suggest that Starless is the first step toward a new studio record. The “soft deadlines” approach indicates that the group is prioritizing creative momentum over a fixed release schedule. Fans and industry observers note that the single’s style—muscular, guitar‑driven intensity paired with delicate, intricate passages—mirrors the sound that has become a hallmark of the band’s recent work.

In addition to the European tour, A Perfect Circle is scheduled to headline a series of shows in Australia and New Zealand in December 2026. The tour will include venues such as The Drive in Adelaide, Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Riverstage in Brisbane, Carriageworks in Sydney, the TikTok Entertainment Centre in Sydney (sold out), and Spark Arena in Auckland. The Australian leg will feature Puscifer as a supporting act, marking the band’s first local headline run in Australia since 2013.

The release of “Starless” and the confirmation of new material come at a time when the band’s core members are balancing multiple projects. Keenan remains active with Tool and Puscifer, while Howerdel continues to produce for other artists and work on solo projects. The current lineup’s stability—particularly the inclusion of long‑time collaborators Josh Freese, James Iha, and Matt McJunkins—provides a foundation for the forthcoming studio work.

As of now, the next steps for A Perfect Circle involve completing the European tour, aligning studio sessions during the Australian run, and finalizing the new album’s composition and production. The band has not yet set a release date, but the statements from Howerdel and the momentum generated by “Starless” suggest that a full‑length record will follow in the near future.

The single is available for streaming on major platforms, and the upcoming tours are listed on the band’s official website. Fans can follow the band’s progress through official social‑media channels and the 93X interview archive.