Eels Announce 16th Studio Album 'Cookie Happened' With New Single Cap In Hand
Tuesday, 16 June 2026
Written by Jon Stickler
Photo: Gus Black
Eels have announced their 16th studio album.
The follow-up to 2024's 'EELS TIME!' is titled 'Cookie Happened' and will arrive on October 16 via E Works/Play It Again Sam. Commenting on the album's title, which was inspired by none other than the Sesame Street character Cookie Monster, bandleader Mark Oliver Everett, a.k.a. E, explained:
"All of this will be forgotten. Every joy, accomplishment and hardship will one day become so irrelevant it will be as if none of it occurred. But as the great philosopher of our times, Cookie Monster once said: 'Me no cry because cookie is finished. Me smile because cookie happened.' This will all be forgotten. But isn’t it still a beautiful thing that it happened?"
To mark the announcement, the band have shared the first taste of 'Cookie Happened' in the form of Cap In Hand, a warm, laid-back song that pairs understated indie-rock with reflective lyrics. It also introduces one of the record's recurring characters, someone trying to come to terms with their mistakes.
"I wanted to sound kind of worn out for this one too, like someone who’s messed up their life but now sees the error of their ways and is trying to make amends with their tail between their legs," E said "You know how record companies are: “We don’t care what you give us, just make sure you sound defeated on the first two tracks!"
'COOKIE HAPPENED' tracklist:
1. Clobbered
2. Cap In Hand
3. All Forgotten
4. Bamboozled Again
5. Lost and Barking
6. Taking Pictures
7. New Story
8. Congratulations to Me
9. One Razzle, One Dazzle
10. I'm On Standby
11. Dum Dums
12. The Way I Was Made
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
