Mercury Comet (album)
2026 studio album by Smash Mouth
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Mercury Comet is the ninth studio album by American rock band Smash Mouth, released on August 12, 2026. It is the band's second studio album to have Zach Goode on lead vocals. It is also their first original album in 14 years, following 2012's Magic.[3][4][1] The album has been described as a "new chapter" for the band going forward.[3][5][6]
| Mercury Comet | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | August 12, 2026 | |||
| Recorded | 2024–2026 | |||
| Studios | Sound Management Studios, San Jose, California | |||
| Genre | Surf punk[1] | |||
| Length | 35:36 | |||
| Label | Self-released | |||
| Producers |
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| Smash Mouth chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Mercury Comet | ||||
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| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Maxazine | 6/10[2] |
Background
Following Zach Goode's arrival in 2021, Smash Mouth returned to recording singles, such as "4th of July", "Underground Sun", and "Ride On"; the latter of which was described as a continuation of the 2001 single "Pacific Coast Party". In December of 2023, the band released the Christmas album, Missile Toes.[4]
On March 12, 2024, the band hinted at returning to the studio to record a new studio LP in the same ska punk style as their 1997 debut, Fush Yu Mang.[7] The album was officially confirmed in early December 2024, under the working title Fush Yu Too.[8][9] The idea to make it similar to Fush Yu Mang came from their manager, Robert Hayes.[1] In an interview with Vice, bassist Paul De Lisle admitted the production process was "similar to making the first album. We did have a lot of time to make this record, as we did the first one. You know, as they say, you have your whole life to make your first record and six months to make your second."[1]
Mercury Comet signals a "new chapter" for the band, as it intends to blend the band's signature pop rock, surf punk, ska and retro sound with "fresh musical directions."[10][4][1] De Lisle was the primary songwriter, although every member contributed in some way, noting particularly how singer Goode and keyboardist Michael Klooster "really stepped up."[1]
The album's lead single, "Better Believer", came to be when bassist Paul De Lisle stated that former frontman Steve Harwell challenged him by saying he couldn't write hit songs, which De Lisle used as motivation.[3] Goode said the single "Had Enuff" is about "reaching your breaking point and finally deciding you've had enough,"[10] while "'Monsters on My Block' reminds us that sometimes the things we're afraid of aren't monsters at all... they're simply people we don't understand."[11]
Release and promotion
The album's name and cover art were formally revealed on March 4, 2025, with a June release initially set.[12] However, the album was delayed indefinitely at an unknown point. A year later, in March of 2026, the album's new date was confirmed to be August 12, with the lead single "Better Believer" releasing on June 10.[13][3] On July 15, 2026, the second single, "Had Enuff", was released.[4] A third single, "Monsters on My Block", was released on August 3, 2026.[14][11]
Touring
The album was supported throughout 2025, under the "Mercury Comet Tour".[15][16] Throughout 2026, the band will tour in support of the album again, under the "Go for the Moon Tour".[5][4]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Paul De Lisle, except where noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Better Believer" | 3:06 | |
| 2. | "Whiskey Gin & Wine" | 2:37 | |
| 3. | "Had Enuff" | 2:56 | |
| 4. | "Big Sur Sky" | 2:45 | |
| 5. | "House of the Setting Sun" | 3:21 | |
| 6. | "Monsters on My Block" | Zach Goode | 3:05 |
| 7. | "New Wave Rodeo" | 3:20 | |
| 8. | "Gimme Gimme" | 2:48 | |
| 9. | "Jackie-O" | 2:18 | |
| 10. | "Soaking Up the Sun" |
| 3:18 |
| 11. | "Face in the Crowd" | 2:37 | |
| 12. | "Midnight Doctor (Mercury Comet)" | 3:25 | |
| Total length: | 35:36 | ||
Personnel
Smash Mouth
- Zach Goode – lead vocals
- Paul De Lisle – bass guitar, background vocals
- Michael Klooster – keyboards, background vocals
- Sean Hurwitz – guitar, background vocals
- Randy Cooke – drums, background vocals
Technical personnel
- Paul De Lisle – producer
- Deegan Mack Adams – producer
- Robert Orton – mixing