Dancing on the Wall
2026 studio album by Muna
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dancing on the Wall is the fourth studio album by the American indie pop band Muna. It followed their commercial breakthrough album Muna, and was supported by three singles - the title track, "So What", and "Wannabeher".
| Dancing on the Wall | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | May 8, 2026 | |||
| Genre | Pop | |||
| Length | 39:50 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Producer | Naomi McPherson | |||
| Muna chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Dancing on the Wall | ||||
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The album was released on May 8, 2026, by Saddest Factory Records.
Background
Muna's previous album, Muna, was their best selling album to date, and their first album to chart on the Billboard 200, the UK Albums Chart, and other international charts, and its lead single, Silk Chiffon, saw success, and significantly raised the band's profile.[1]
Since its release, they also joined several high-profile acts on tour, including Lorde[2] and Taylor Swift[3].
In 2024, lead singer Katie Gavin released her debut solo album, What a Relief, in a more acoustic, folk pop direction compared to Muna's output.[4]
Writing and composition
The band were inspired by the political climate in the US under the second Trump administration in the writing of the album, citing M. Gessen's book Surviving Autocracy as an influence.[5] Maskin noted that while their previous albums had also featured political themes, Big Stick was the most overtly political song they'd released.[6]
Several publications noted the album as having a darker sonic palatte than the lighter pop sound of their self-titled record. The band described as a "dark, poppy, intense, sweaty. funky dance album" as opposed to being the "'queer joy mini-skirt rollerblade' band" of the previous record.[6] The album is also consistently upbeat than previous albums, noted by McPherson as influenced by Gavin having released a solo record of folk music.[7]
Release and promotion
On February 4, 2026, Muna released video clips on Instagram promoting the new song "It Gets So Hot"[8], which was released via the band's website five days later on February 9.
They then announced on Instagram that same day that "Dancing On The Wall" would be released on February 10[9]. Along with the release of the latter single, they announced their fourth album, of the same name, was to be released on May 8.[10] At the same time, a short tour of intimate album release shows in smaller venues were announced, for May.[11]
On March 17, they released the second official single from the album, "So What", with an accompanying music video.[12]
On March 31, they announced the song "Big Stick" would be available for purchase for 48 hours via Bandcamp, with proceeds going toward Pal Humanity.[13]
On April 14, Muna released the third single "Wannabeher".[14][15]
On May 8, concurrent with the release of the album, a video for "Eastside Girls" was released, and the band announced a tour behind the album, set for September - October 2026.[16]
Reception
The album was released to generally positive reviews. According to review aggregator Metacritic, Dancing on the Wall received "generally favorable reviews" based on a weighted average score of 77 out of 100 from eight critic scores. [26]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Katie Gavin, Josette Maskin, and Naomi McPherson, with additional writers noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "It Gets So Hot" | Daniel Tashian | 2:41 |
| 2. | "Dancing on the Wall" | 4:03 | |
| 3. | "Eastside Girls" | 3:50 | |
| 4. | "Wannabeher" | Leland | 2:34 |
| 5. | "On Call" | 2:35 | |
| 6. | "So What" | 4:31 | |
| 7. | "Party's Over" | 0:19 | |
| 8. | "Big Stick" | 2:36 | |
| 9. | "Mary Jane" | Justin Tranter | 4:12 |
| 10. | "Girl's Girl" | Tranter | 3:13 |
| 11. | "...Unless" | 0:16 | |
| 12. | "Why Do I Get a Good Feeling" | 4:53 | |
| 13. | "Buzzkiller" | 4:07 | |
| Total length: | 39:50 | ||
Personnel
Credits are adapted from Tidal.[27]
Muna
- Katie Gavin – arrangement, additional production (all tracks); vocals, background vocals (tracks 1–6, 8–10, 12, 13); vocal arrangement (2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 12, 13)
- Josette Maskin – arrangement, additional production (all tracks); background vocals, additional engineering (1–6, 8–10, 12, 13); electric guitar (1–6, 8, 9), vocal arrangement (2, 3, 5, 8–10, 12, 13), acoustic guitar (3, 6), lead guitar (10, 12, 13)
- Naomi McPherson – arrangement, production (all tracks); synthesizer programming (1–6, 8–11); background vocals, drum machine, programming, synth bass, synthesizer, engineering, vocal engineering (1–6, 8–10, 12, 13); keyboards (1, 5, 6, 8–10, 12), baritone guitar (2, 5, 8), vocal arrangement (2, 3, 5, 8–10, 12, 13), mixing (7, 11), rhythm guitar (10), piano (13)
Additional contributors
- Joe LaPorta – mastering
- Sarab Singh – drums, percussion (1–6, 8–10, 12, 13)
- Dan Grech-Marguerat – programming, mixing (1–6, 8–10, 12, 13)
- Geo Botelho – engineering (1–6, 8–10, 12, 13), fretless bass guitar (1), electric bass guitar (2–4)
- Ivan Barry – engineering assistance (1–6, 8–10, 12, 13)
- Luke Burgoyne – mixing assistance (1–6, 8–10, 12, 13)
- Seb Maletka-Catala – mixing assistance (1–6, 8–10, 12, 13)
- Daniel Tashian – synth bass, synthesizer programming (1, 5); keyboards, synthesizer (1)
- Lou Roy – background vocals, vocal arrangement (2, 3, 5, 8–10, 12, 13)
- Phoenix Rousiamanis – violin (11–13)
Charts
| Chart (2026) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| French Rock & Metal Albums (SNEP)[28] | 95 |
| Irish Independent Albums (IRMA)[29] | 19 |
| Scottish Albums (OCC)[30] | 7 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[31] | 64 |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC)[32] | 7 |
| US Billboard 200[33] | 160 |
| US Independent Albums (Billboard)[34] | 23 |
| US Top Rock & Alternative Albums (Billboard)[35] | 42 |