Sturgill Simpson Announces New Dance-Inspired Johnny Blue Skies Project, ‘Mutiny After Midnight’

After teasing a new chapter in December 2025, Sturgill Simpson has unveiled the latest chapter of his Johnny Blue Skies era, with a new album, Mutiny After Midnight, arriving on March 13th. Interestingly, the project will drop exclusively on CD, vinyl and cassette.

Featuring a new band-name, Johnny Blue Skies & the Dark Clouds, the new project will feature never-heard-before tracks such as ‘Excited Delirium’ and ‘Everyone Is Welcome’.

In an official statement, Simpson explains his decision to return to Atlantic Records, as well as touching on the impetus behind Mutiny After Midnight, “This is a new and very different Atlantic Records than my last go-around. Mostly, I'm very excited and honored to be working with my dear friend Ian Cripps, and to finally bring to fruition a vision we initially shared together over ten years ago. I wrote words to what is happening in the world and my life in real time, and played with a group of musicians I deeply love and respect. Together, we made an album that is very fun and will hopefully offer some relief from darkness in the world”.

He concludes, “There's a simple goal we as a band set out to achieve: to make a dance record”, teasing that this will mark a departure from his usual bluegrass and alt-country style.

On the song that kicks off the new album, ‘Make America Fuk Again’, Simpson sings, “Been learning lessons and getting bubbles busted. Learning how to turn ADHD into hyper-focus. Getting my heart broke by people I trusted. Weaponizing my autism to shit out an opus. Been coming to terms with my obsolescence. Taking ketamine to kill my depression. It beats being fogged out on anti-depressants”.

He goes on, “Wait, that reminds me, time to book another session…Maybe things have been worse but I can't remember when. Wanna start a revolution and watch it begin”.

Unfortunately, with the project being given a physical-only release - at least initially - it seems we won't be treated to a lead single or two before the full album's arrival in March. If past records are anything to go by, though, it'll be well worth the wait.

For the full tracklist to Johnny Blue Skies & the Dark Clouds’ Mutiny After Midnight, see below:

1. Make America Fuk Again

2. Excited Delirium

3. Don't Let Go

4. Stay On That

5. Viridescent

6. Situation

7. Venus

8. Everyone Is Welcome

9. Ain't That A Bitch

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