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Jan 07, 2026 By Mark Redfern Photography by Abbey Raymonde

Scotland’s The Twilight Sad have announced It’s the Long Goodbye, their first new album in seven years, and shared a new song from it, “Designed to Lose.” Robert Smith of The Cure appears on three songs on the album. It’s the Long Goodbye is due out March 27 via Rock Action. Below, check out the new single, followed by the album details and the band’s tour dates.

Previously the band shared the album’s first single, “Waiting for the Phone Call,” which was their first new single in six years and featured Smith on guitar. Smith has been a big champion of the band, who often open for The Cure on tour. “Waiting for the Phone Call” was one of our Songs of the Week.

The Twilight Sad is now officially a duo featuring frontman James Graham and guitarist Andy MacFarlane. The album also features sometime Arab Strap player David Jeans on drums and Mogwai live team-member Alex Mackay on bass. MacFarlane produced the album, which was recorded at Willesden’s Battery Studios. Andy Savours (My Bloody Valentine) contributed additional production and Chris Coady (Slowdive) mixed the album.

It’s the Long Goodbye is said to be the band’s most personal album and was inspired by the death of Graham’s mother after being diagnosed with early onset frontotemporal dementia, and the frontman’s subsequent mental health challenges after her passing. It was after returning from a tour opening for The Cure in 2016 that Graham was informed of his mother’s diagnosis. In November 2023 The Twilight Sad bowed out of a Cure tour early in order for Graham to take care of his mental health. “And then my mum passed away in the January afterwards,” says Graham in a press release.

“In the past I’ve used a lot of metaphors within my lyrics,” Graham further explains. “With this, there’s not as much. The record is heavily influenced by my mental health, grief and loss, and the need to be strong in positions where you’re not feeling it. It’s a very human story, I think—this is just my version of it. I feel that everybody goes through something like this. Everybody loses somebody. Everybody questions life.”

Summing up the new album, Graham adds: “To know that I’m saying things that connect with other people, that’s such a powerful thing. I want to be a relatable person that talks about things that can happen and give an opportunity for people to go, well, you’re not alone. I want people to be able to listen to this record and hear that it comes from a place of raw emotion. The album is an opportunity to share my experience and move forward with my life.”

The Twilight Sad’s last studio album was 2019’s It Won/t Be Like This All the Time.

Read our interview with The Twilight Sad on It Won/t Be Like This All the Time.

It’s the Long Goodbye Tracklist:

1. GET AWAY FROM IT ALL
2. DESIGNED TO LOSE
3. ATTEMPT A CRASH LANDING - THEME
4. WAITING FOR THE PHONE CALL
5. THE CEILING UNDERGROUND
6. DEAD FLOWERS
7. INHOSPITABLE/HOSPITAL
8. CHEST WOUND TO THE CHEST
9. BACK TO FOURTEEN
10. TV PEOPLE STILL THROWING TVS AT PEOPLE

The Twilight Sad Tour Dates:

Headline Tour:

April 12 - Italy, Milan - Legend Club
April 14 - Switzerland, Zurich, Bogen F
April 15 - Germany, Munich, Ampere
April 16 - Germany, Berlin, Gretchen
April 18 - Denmark, Copenhagen, Loppen
April 19 - Norway, Oslo, Parkteateret
April 20 - Sweden, Stockholm, Slaktkyrkan
April 22 - Germany, Hamburg, Grünspan
April 23 - Netherlands, Utrecht, Tivolivredenburg Pandora Hall
April 25 - Germany, Cologne, Gebäude 9
April 26 - Belgium, Brussels, Rotonde - Botanique
April 27 - France, Paris, Le Trabendo
April 29 - UK, Bristol, Electric Bristol
April 30 - UK, London, Roundhouse
May 2 - UK, Manchester, New Century Hall
May 3 - UK, Newcastle upon Tyne, Boiler Shop
May 5 - Scotland, Glasgow, Barrowlands
May 6 - Scotland, Glasgow, Barrowlands
May 9 - Ireland, Dublin, Button Factory
July 24-26 - UK, Deer Shed Festival

Opening for The Cure:

Sun 14 June – Italy, Firenze, Visarno Arena
Weds 24 June - Cardiff, Blackweir Fields
Fri 26 June - Dublin, Marley Park
Sun 28 June - Belfast, Belsonic
Weds 8 July – Slovakia, Pohoda Festival
Fri 10 July - Germany, Berlin, Wuhlheide
Sat 11 July - Germany, Berlin, Wuhlheide
Sun 12 July - Germany, Berlin, Wuhlheide

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