The Academy Is... Announce First Album In Over 18 Years 'Almost There', Share Lead Single 2005
Monday, 19 January 2026
Written by Jon Stickler
Photo: Jonathan Weber
The Academy Is... have laid out plans for their first new album in over 18 years.
The influential Chicago alt-rockers will release the long-awaited 'Almost There' on March 27, following 2008's 'Fast Times at Barrington High' and their 2009 EP 'Lost In Pacific Time: The AP - EP', after which they temporarily disbanded. Vocalist William Beckett explained how it relates to their 2005 debut LP 'Almost Here':
"Almost Here was the beginning. Almost There is the reflection. It’s about checking in with who you thought you’d be twenty years later, seeing what changed, what stuck, and what still feels like home."
Alongside the announcement, the four-piece have shared the record's lead single, 2005, which is fuelled by bright, driving guitars serving up a pop-punk sound with lyrics that reflect on growing up.
The Academy Is… will embark on a second North American leg of their Almost Here 20th Anniversary Tour in the spring, following the success of the first round of dates last year. Tickets are on sale now.
Since their last album, the band have reunited on a number of occasions, first in 2015 for an appearance at Chicago's Riot Fest, and later that year for a farewell tour. They regrouped again in 2022 and 2025 for Riot Fest, and also released the singles Sodium and 40 Steps in 2019, and Superman in 2022.
'Almost There' tracklist:
1. Up In The Air
2. Miracle
3. 2005
4. Freak Out
5. Snow Days
6. 100mph
7. Floating Through Time (interlude)
8. L Train
9. Lost Signals
10. Lulu Boy
11. Ten Years
The Academy Is Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows
Fri April 10 2026 - BUFFALO New York - Town Ballroom (USA)
Sat April 11 2026 - TORONTO Ontario - Danforth Music Hall (Canada)
Wed April 15 2026 - ATLANTA Georgia - Buckhead Theatre (USA)
Thu April 16 2026 - NASHVILLE Tennessee - Brooklyn Bowl Nashville (USA)
Sat April 18 2026 - TAMPA Florida - Ritz Ybor (USA)
Sun April 19 2026 - ORLANDO Florida - House of Blues Orlando (USA)
Fri April 24 2026 - AUSTIN Texas - Emo's Austin (USA)
Sat April 25 2026 - DALLAS Texas - Echo Lounge & Music Hall (USA)
Sun April 26 2026 - HOUSTON Texas - House of Blues Houston (USA)
Fri May 01 2026 - PORTLAND Oregon - Roseland Theater (USA)
Sat May 02 2026 - SEATTLE Washington - Showbox (USA)
Thu May 07 2026 - SACRAMENTO California - Ace of Spades (USA)
Fri May 08 2026 - BERKELEY California - UC Theatre (USA)
Sat May 09 2026 - SAN DIEGO California - Observatory North Park (USA)
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