Beck has shared an ethereal new acoustic single titled “Disappearing Act,” serving as the third preview of his upcoming 15th studio album, Ride Lonesome. Produced by Beck with mixing by longtime Radiohead collaborator Nigel Godrich, the track arrives ahead of the full LP’s September 18 release via Capitol and a North American tour kicking off September 16 in Vancouver.
The Bottom Line
- The Release: “Disappearing Act” previews Beck’s 15th studio album, Ride Lonesome, dropping September 18 via Capitol.
- The Creative Team: The track was produced by Beck and mixed by Nigel Godrich, reuniting the artist with his original core recording band from Sea Change and Morning Phase.
A Return to the Folksy Roots of ‘Sea Change’ and ‘Morning Phase’
When Beck announced that his upcoming record would reunite the original touring and recording band behind 2002’s seminal Sea Change and Morning Phase (2014), it signaled a deliberate aesthetic turn. That reunion takes center stage on “Disappearing Act,” a tranquil acoustic offering where Beck sings of evening skies and quiet rooms. The track follows previous singles “Ride Lonesome” and “In The Night,” establishing a cohesive, stripped-back sonic palette for the 12-track LP.
Here is the kicker: rather than chasing modern streaming-pop trends, Beck retreated to Room B at United Studios in Hollywood alongside core collaborators Smokey Hormel, Joey Waronker, Justin Meldal-Johnsen, Roger Joseph Manning Jr., and Jason Falkner. According to statements released regarding the project, it marked a full decade since the ensemble last recorded together in a studio setting, yielding an organic chemistry that developed across decades of shared collaboration.
Production Pedigree and Industry Context
Furthermore, the rollout arrives on the heels of this year’s rarities and covers collection, Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometime, and follows unique live outings including orchestral performances at London’s Royal Albert Hall and a collaboration with Arooj Aftab on a Jeff Buckley cover for the War Child charity compilation Help(2).
| Project Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Album Title | Ride Lonesome (15th Studio Album) |
| Release Date | September 18 |
| Label | Capitol |
| Key Collaborators | Nigel Godrich (Mixing), Smokey Hormel, Joey Waronker, Justin Meldal-Johnsen, Roger Joseph Manning Jr., Jason Falkner |
| Tour Kickoff | September 16, Vancouver |
What Lies Ahead on the North American Tour
With Ride Lonesome officially hitting shelves in mid-September, fans won’t have to wait long to experience the new material in a live setting. The forthcoming North American tour begins in Vancouver on September 16, putting the newly re-energized touring lineup back on the road.
How are you feeling about Beck’s acoustic return to the Morning Phase era? Drop a comment below and let us know your favorite track on the upcoming album’s tracklist.
