Kinda Hard

In June 2025, Bilmuri released a new song titled, "More Than Hate", which led to signs that more music would soon follow. In August, he revealed in an interview with Loudwire that the record was "done."^[1] During the process, he said he "drove himself half insane," as he was worrying about having to make a good follow up album after American Motor Sports (2024). However, he got over this fear by making what he felt "was interesting." He described the album as "ridiculous, in a great way."^[1]

On February 6, 2026, Bilmuri announced the title of the new album, Kinda Hard, with a release date for April 10.^[2] He also embarked on a North American headlining tour from April to October 2026, in support of the album.^[3]

"More Than Hate" was released on June 27, 2025, as the lead single from the album.^[4] The song was later serviced for radio airplay.^[1] On December 5, "Hard 2 Tell" was released as the album's second single.^[5] The album's third single, "Twice" was released on February 6, 2026.^[6] The album's fourth single was released on March 13, titled "Always Let You Down", featuring Jeremy McKinnon of A Day to Remember.^[7] The fifth single from the album, "Where to Find Me" featuring Novelists was released on April 7.^[8]

More information Review scores, Source ...

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[9]
The Arts Desk	[10]
Kerrang!	4/5[11]
Sputnikmusic	3.5/5[12]

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The album was met with positive reviews from music critics. James Hingle of Kerrang! described the album as "eccentric and full of curveballs."^[11] Staff writer Charlie of Sputnikmusic wrote, "Kinda Hard mostly executes on the Bilmuri formula with satisfying results. The album balances Johnny's typical brand of country-tinged post-hardcore and breakup-ridden lyricism that usually culminates in incredibly infectious choruses."^[12] However, he felt it "comes across as less adventurous than earlier Bilmuri releases," but said, "its high points very much belong in the pantheon of Johnny's greatest hits and are perfectly in line with the approaching summer season; just don't expect it to elevate the formula in any meaningful way."^[12] In a similar review, Joseph Ine of Melodic Magazine stated the album "isn't trying to reinvent Bilmuri's sound," though he remarked, "The hooks hit, the production feels tight, and the pacing keeps things moving without dragging."^[13]

Kinda Hard debuted at number 108 on the Billboard 200.^[14] The album also peaked at number 28 and number five on the US Top Rock & Alternative Albums and US Top Hard Rock Albums charts, respectively.^[15][16] In the UK, the album peaked at number 50 on the UK Albums Sales Chart,^[17] as well as reaching number 10 on the UK Rock & Metal Albums.^[18]

The songs "Kinda Hard", "Worst Part of You", "Rock Bottom", "Shyt Fyst" and "Back, Then" reached the US Hot Hard Rock Songs chart, at numbers 19, 17, 12, 24 and 25, respectively.^[19]