After more than five years away from the recording studio, The Cribs are roaring back into the spotlight with their ninth studio album, Selling A Vibe. Announced on August 19, 2025, and set for release on January 9, 2026, the Wakefield indie rockers are marking their return with a deeply personal record—and a highly anticipated tour that’s already generating a buzz among fans and critics alike.
Comprised of twins Gary and Ryan Jarman and their younger brother Ross, The Cribs have always been a family affair, but this time, the theme of kinship runs deeper than ever. According to Live4ever, the album was born out of a summer of reconnection between the three Jarman brothers. It’s their first studio effort since 2020, and, as the band puts it, an unapologetic celebration of family and the healing power of loved ones.
The first taste of Selling A Vibe comes in the form of its lead single, "Summer Seizures," released alongside a striking video. Guitarist and vocalist Ryan Jarman reflected on the song’s inspiration, telling Live4ever, "Lyrically, I was in the kitchen in my apartment in NYC one morning and I could feel that summer was starting. I’d had the best summer of my life here and then, a few years ago, undoubtedly the hardest so when I could feel it coming around again it was a way of marking time and looking at where I’m at now and trying to tie it all together. It’s a song about love, tragedy and learning to live with yourself, all set during summertime in NYC."
But it’s not just the lyrics that are steeped in authenticity. The video for "Summer Seizures" was shot on 16mm film by director Andy Knowles, an old friend of the band. As Ryan explained to Radio X, "We wanted it to be no gimmicks, done to a really high quality and just let the band and the song do the talking, so we spoke to our old friend Andy Knowles (who happens to be an amazing director) and decided to shoot on 16mm film and just present us as we are. In a digital age of infinite options, shooting on film meant that it had to be quick, spontaneous and most importantly, natural. Of course those guys spent ages making sure it’d look amazing before the cameras started rolling, but we got exactly what we were looking for: the band as we are now, in our natural environment on celluloid."
The result is a video that captures the band’s raw energy and chemistry—no frills, just The Cribs being themselves. It’s a fitting introduction to an album that, according to Gary Jarman, is all about returning to what matters most. "On our first records, we were just writing about our individual experiences. That’s a really verdant field of inspiration, but as you go along, life points you towards bigger things to write about," Gary told Radio X. "But this time, I realised when I was writing the lyrics that all of the songs were really rooted in the only consistent thing—and the most valuable thing—and that was our relationship as family. The thing that has seen us through to this point."
Selling A Vibe features 12 tracks, including "Dark Luck," "A Point Too Hard To Make," "Never The Same," "Looking For The Wrong Guy," "If Our Paths Never Crossed," "Self Respect," "You’ll Tell Me Anything," "Rose Mist," "Distractions," and "Brothers Won’t Break." The album was produced by Patrick Wimberly—known for his work with MGMT and Caroline Polachek—and mixed by Lars Stalfors, whose credits include Lil Peep, St. Vincent, and The Mars Volta. The result, as described by Live4ever, is a record that’s both sonically rich and emotionally resonant.
Of course, new music from The Cribs wouldn’t be complete without a chance to see the band live. Alongside the album announcement, The Cribs revealed plans for a headline UK tour in March 2026. The tour will take the brothers to some of the country’s most iconic venues, with stops in Newcastle (Boiler Shop, March 18), Sheffield (Foundry, March 20), Manchester (Albert Hall, March 21), Birmingham (O2 Institute 1, March 22), Nottingham (Rock City, March 24), Cardiff (Tramshed, March 25), and Brighton (Concorde 2, March 28). Fans eager to secure their spot can jump on the ticket presale starting at 10am on August 20, 2025, with general sale opening at 10am on August 22.
But that’s not all. Before hitting the road for their headline dates, The Cribs will perform a special live show in partnership with the charity War Child. This intimate gig is set for August 23, 2025, at London’s Shacklewell Arms—a venue known for its close-quarters energy and sweaty, unforgettable nights. For longtime fans and newcomers alike, it’s a rare chance to see the band up close before they embark on their larger tour.
The announcement of Selling A Vibe and its accompanying tour has been met with excitement across the UK music scene. After all, The Cribs have long been celebrated for their ability to blend catchy hooks with heartfelt lyrics, and their reputation for raucous, high-energy live shows is the stuff of indie legend. Their last studio album, released more than five years ago, left fans hungry for more—and the new material promises to deliver both the familiar and the fresh.
What stands out about Selling A Vibe is its focus on healing and togetherness. As the band explained to Live4ever, this record is about "finding your way back to health with help from those loved ones." In a world that often feels divided and uncertain, The Cribs are offering a reminder of the strength that comes from family and shared experiences. It’s a message that’s likely to resonate with listeners of all ages.
For those who can’t wait to get their hands on the album, Selling A Vibe is already available for pre-order. With its release date set for January 9, 2026, anticipation is building—not just for the new songs, but for the chance to see The Cribs back where they belong: on stage, guitars in hand, pouring their hearts out to a sea of fans.
As the countdown to January begins, The Cribs are proving that some bonds really are unbreakable—and that, sometimes, the best way forward is to look back at where you started, surrounded by those who know you best.
