Courtney Barnett Shares Two New Tracks Mantis And Sugar Plum From Upcoming Album 'Creature Of Habit'
Tuesday, 24 February 2026
Written by Jon Stickler
Photo: Lindsey Byrnes
Courtney Barnett has shared two new songs from her upcoming album.
Both reflective and melodic, Mantis and Sugar Plum offer a further glimpse into 'Creature Of Habit', due out on March 27 via Fiction Records.
Built on a steady groove, the former captures the unexpected moment when a praying mantis appeared in her studio, inspiring her and helping shape the direction that led to finishing the album, while the more introspective latter explores Barnett's lifelong struggle with self-doubt and how she confronts it. Speaking about Matis, she said:
"Mantis is the microcosmic centerpiece of this album, it embodies the message and meaning of every track. It’s a song about searching, and it helped me find my way through 'Creature Of Habit'.
"I was feeling particularly lost while I was working on this song. One day, I was standing in the kitchen, making a coffee, when I noticed a little green praying mantis sitting on top of the doorframe. I had never seen one there in the desert house, so I took it as an important sign from the universe. I texted a photo to Stella and she said it’s good luck, look it up! I did a quick search and found it to also represent patience, perseverance and a guide for those who needed direction. I stood and spoke to the mantis for a while, it was a strange and enlightening moment that I’ll never forget. Eventually, I got back to writing, and finally I had the chorus to this song."
The Grammy and BRIT Award-nominated Australian artist introduced her fourth studio album last month, alongside the release of the single Site Unseen, which features harmonies from Katie Crutchfield of Waxahatchee. The album also includes Stay In Your Lane, which dropped last October.
Following the record's release, the singer-songwriter will play BBC Radio 6 Music Festival In Manchester on March 28, before shows in Sunderland, Hebden Bridge and Bedford. She'll then embark on an extensive North American tour, split across two legs in May and August, featuring support from Truman Sinclair, Momma, Zoh Amba and Built To Spill on select dates. Tickets are on sale now.
Courtney Barnett Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows
Sat March 28 2026 - MANCHESTER Band on the Wall
Sun March 29 2026 - SUNDERLAND Independent
Mon March 30 2026 - HEBDEN BRIDGE Trades Club
Wed April 01 2026 - BEDFORD Esquires
Thu April 02 2026 - MARGATE Where Else?
Fri May 01 2026 - AUSTIN Texas - Radio/East (USA)
Sat May 02 2026 - HOUSTON Texas - Downstairs at White Oak Music Hall - Complex (USA)
Sun May 03 2026 - DALLAS Texas - Studio at Bomb Factory (Formerly Factory in Deep Ellum) - Complex (USA)
Tue May 05 2026 - NASHVILLE Tennessee - Ryman Auditorium (USA)
Wed May 06 2026 - ATLANTA Georgia - Tabernacle Atlanta (USA)
Fri May 08 2026 - RICHMOND Virginia - National (USA)
Sat May 09 2026 - NEW YORK New York - Kings Theatre Brooklyn (USA)
Sun May 10 2026 - WASHINGTON District of Columbia - Anthem (USA)
Tue May 12 2026 - PHILADELPHIA Pennsylvania - Fillmore Philadelphia - Complex (USA)
Wed May 13 2026 - BOSTON Massachusetts - Roadrunner Boston (USA)
Fri May 15 2026 - MADISON Wisconsin - Sylvee (USA)
Sat May 16 2026 - SAINT PAUL Minnesota - Palace Theatre at First Avenue - Complex (USA)
Tue May 19 2026 - ST LOUIS Missouri - Hawthorn (USA)
Wed May 20 2026 - COLUMBUS Ohio - Newport Music Hall (USA)
Thu May 21 2026 - DETROIT Michigan - Majestic Theatre Detroit - Complex (USA)
Fri May 22 2026 - TORONTO Ontario - History (Canada)
Tue August 11 2026 - CLEVELAND Ohio - Agora Theatre (USA)
Wed August 12 2026 - MCKEES ROCKS Pennsylvania - Roxian Theatre (USA)
Fri August 14 2026 - NEWPORT Kentucky - MegaCorp Pavilion (USA)
Sat August 15 2026 - KANSAS CITY Missouri - Truman (USA)
Tue August 18 2026 - SEATTLE Washington - TBA (USA)
Wed August 19 2026 - PORTLAND Oregon - TBA (USA)
Fri August 21 2026 - DENVER Colorado - Mission Ballroom (USA)
Sat August 22 2026 - SALT LAKE CITY Utah - Rockwell at Complex SLC - Complex (USA)
Mon August 24 2026 - SACRAMENTO California - Channel 24 (USA)
Wed August 26 2026 - SAN FRANCISCO California - Fillmore San Francisco (USA)
Thu August 27 2026 - SAN FRANCISCO California - Fillmore San Francisco (USA)
Sat August 29 2026 - LOS ANGELES California - Hollywood Palladium (USA)
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