Gracie Abrams, the 26-year-old singer-songwriter whose star has been steadily rising since the release of her acclaimed album The Secret Of Us in 2024, is brimming with anticipation—and a touch of impatience—over her next musical chapter. On January 12, 2026, Abrams opened up to PEOPLE and other outlets about the unique excitement and connection she feels to her forthcoming album, which she’s been teasing to fans with a mix of pride and secrecy.
“I’m beyond ready for it to belong to everyone else. I’ve never felt this way about anything I’ve made before, so it’s definitely driving me crazy in a good way,” Abrams confessed, her words capturing the restless energy that often accompanies the final stretch before a major release. The album, still shrouded in mystery, is set to follow the trajectory established by The Secret Of Us, a record that cemented Abrams’ reputation for introspective songwriting and emotional candor.
Asked about the waiting period before the album drops, Abrams admitted, “I love the feeling. I really like it right now. I think I feel kind of calm about it. I’ve been lucky enough to spend a lot of time with it.” It’s a sentiment that speaks to the rare satisfaction an artist feels when they know they’ve poured their heart into a project, yet the world hasn’t heard it—at least not yet.
While Abrams is keeping the details of her new music under wraps, she’s not shy about how much the process has meant to her. “At the end of the day, it’s all about the people you get to make things with and spend your time with, and that means the most to me right now. So, yeah, any day in the studio is a great day,” she told PEOPLE. That collaborative spirit has been a hallmark of her recent work, and it’s no surprise given the caliber of talent she’s surrounded herself with.
One such creative partner is Aaron Dessner of The National, who co-produced her last studio effort. Dessner’s influence is unmistakable, bringing a textured, atmospheric quality to Abrams’ sound. His reputation as a collaborator—having famously worked with Taylor Swift—only adds to the anticipation swirling around Abrams’ next release.
But Abrams’ creative ambitions don’t end with music. The daughter of renowned film director J.J. Abrams, she’s recently hinted at the possibility of stepping into the world of acting. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, she said, “I love a group project. The concept of being on a set is as thrilling as being on tour where everyone who’s there is there for a reason. These kind of creative environments are so incredibly inspiring to me. So yeah, who knows? We’ll see. We’ll see.” For now, though, her focus remains firmly on her music, and she’s determined to keep the specifics of her new material a secret until the right moment arrives.
“I’m going to keep it under wraps, I suppose, until the moment. But right now I’m just very proud. It’s definitely my favourite music I’ve ever made, and I feel very closely connected to it,” Abrams explained. She sees her albums as “time capsules of where I’m at in my life at any given point,” and this forthcoming project, she says, “does feel very like me.” Her hope? “I hope that whoever finds it, connects with it and that they make it theirs when it’s out one day. But not yet.”
While Abrams is preparing to unveil her own album, she’s also making waves as a featured artist on one of 2026’s most anticipated releases: Mumford & Sons’ sixth studio album, Prizefighter. Announced on January 12, 2026, Prizefighter is scheduled for release on February 13 and follows the band’s 2025 album Rushmere. The new record is notable for its impressive roster of collaborators, including Chris Stapleton, Hozier, Gigi Perez, and, of course, Gracie Abrams herself.
Aaron Dessner, once again, is at the creative helm, co-producing and co-writing the album alongside the band. Pre-release singles have already generated buzz, with “The Banjo Song”—co-written by the band, Dessner, and John Bellion—alongside “Rubber Band Man” (a collaboration with Hozier) and the title track “Prizefighter” setting the tone for what’s to come. The tracklist features “Badlands,” a song that spotlights Abrams’ haunting vocals and lyrical depth.
Mumford & Sons frontman Marcus Mumford described the band’s current mindset in a statement: “We feel like we’re hitting our prime as a creative force. We’re putting everything we have into this now, and we’re using everything about our experience so far to embrace exactly who we are. We’re comfortable in our skins these days. And Prizefighter is us going for it, serious and playful, sometimes bruised and always hopeful. We’re nowhere near done yet. I hope and believe we’re in the beginning of something we don’t want to let up on. I’m more excited to be in this band than I’ve ever been.”
The album’s tracklist reads like a who’s who of contemporary music, with highlights including “Here” (with Chris Stapleton), “Rubber Band Man” (with Hozier), “Icarus” (with Gigi Perez), and “Badlands” (with Gracie Abrams). The mix of established voices and new collaborators promises a dynamic listening experience, one that reflects both the band’s roots and its willingness to explore fresh territory.
To support Prizefighter, Mumford & Sons have mapped out an ambitious tour schedule. The journey begins December 27, 2025, in San Diego, California, at the Wild Horses Festival, and continues through August 1, 2026, in St. Charles, Iowa, at the Hinterland Music Festival. Along the way, they’ll play iconic venues and festivals across North America and Europe, including BST Hyde Park in London—where they’ll be joined by The War on Drugs—Rock in Roma in Italy, and Rock Werchter Festival in Belgium.
For Abrams, the collaboration with Mumford & Sons and Dessner is yet another testament to her growing influence in the music world. It’s a partnership that brings together artists at the top of their game, united by a shared commitment to authenticity and creative exploration. And with the release of both her own album and her feature on Prizefighter on the horizon, 2026 is shaping up to be a banner year for the young singer-songwriter.
As fans eagerly await the arrival of new music from both Abrams and Mumford & Sons, the sense of anticipation is palpable. For Abrams, who has said she’s “never felt this way about anything I’ve made before,” the journey from studio to stage is just beginning. And for listeners, the promise of fresh sounds and heartfelt storytelling is a reminder of why music matters—now more than ever.
