Photo Credit: Danny Clinch

This morning, April 11, Phish announced the summer release of its 16th studio LP and first in four years. Titled Evolve, the full-length set will come from JEMP Records and is anticipated to arrive on Friday, July 12. The Vermont foursome dropped the title track as a preview of their forthcoming sonic deliverable. 

While little is known regarding production details, hints leading to the Evolve trail were present prior to the arrival of the band’s lead single, which was shared on YouTube before disruption to media outlets. In the streaming platform description, the band listed longtime collaborators Bryce Goggin and Vance Powell as producers of the set. 

Notably, Powell hinted at Phish’s new album in December during an interview with Americana Highways, stating, “I’m about to co-produce Phish’s record.” He followed up and provided a flash of detail that alluded to the recording location, adding, “As a matter of fact, I’m about to fly to Vermont to record in Vermont.”

While not everything has been revealed, some background “Evolve” exists. The single was first performed live during Trey Anastasio’s solo concert in April 2020 amid the pandemic. The number was initially recorded and released the following summer on Lonely Trip. 

Phish picked up the number and debuted on Aug. 4, 2021, in Nashville, and continued by dotting 12 setlists with additional plays, leading to the most recent run-through, which occurred during the band’s destination concert vacation in Riviera Maya, Mexico, on February 23, 2024. 

Confirmation of new music arrives on the coattails of a massively creative and productive time for Anastasio, Mike Gordon, Jon Fishman, and Page McConnell. Beginning on April 18, they will take their talents to Las Vegas’ new state-of-the-art venue, The Sphere, for four sold-out nights of music. Livestreams are available.

The ensemble previously emphasized its prolific period and announced the return of their festival format, sharing details on Mondegreen 2024, the band’s 11th self-produced event and first in nine years. Before the arrival of the Delaware weekend, Phish will participate in a slate of summer 2024 tour dates. For more information, visit phish.com. 

Listen to “Evolve” below.