Robert Plant reveals new album, “Carry Fire,” due in October; hear first track now

Nonesuch/Warner Bros. RecordsWhen Robert Plant earlier this week posted an unidentified instrumental music clip on his official website and Facebook page, the buzz began that it might be a tease for the new album he’s been working on with his current band, The Sensational Space Shifters, over the last couple of years. We didn’t have long to wait for confirmation.

The album is titled Carry Fire, and it’ll be out October 13, though you can order it now via RobertPlant.com, Nonesuch Records and all the usual digital outlets. If you order from Nonesuch or Plant’s website, you’ll score an instant download of Carry Fire‘s first track, “The May Queen,” as well as an exclusive, limited-edition print featuring an image from the album art. “The May Queen” is also available for download now, with a lyric video for the song posted on YouTube.

Even better news: Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters will tour behind Carry Fire. No further details yet, other than that the tour will kick off in November.

Carry Fire features 11 tracks in all, and includes guest vocalist Chrissie Hynde on a cover of the 1958 Ersel Hickey song “Bluebirds over the Mountain,” which also was previously recorded by Ritchie Valens and The Beach Boys.

Plant first announced he was recording a new album with The Sensational Space Shifters in January 2016. His previous studio effort with the group, Lullaby and…The Ceaseless Roar, was released in 2014.

Here’s the Carry Fire track listing:

“The May Queen”
“New World…”
“Season’s Song”
“Dance with You Tonight”
“Carving Up the World Again… a wall and not a fence”
“A Way with Words”
“Carry Fire”
“Bones of Saints”
“Keep It Hid”
“Bluebirds over the Mountain”
“Heaven Sent”