Full Breakdown
Dinosaur Jr. Announces 13th Album “There Near” and Fall 2026 North American Tour
7/2/2026, 4:29:36 AM
New Album and Lead Single
Dinosaur Jr. revealed that their thirteenth studio album, There Near, will be released on 28 August 2026 through Jagjaguwar. The campaign opened with the lead single “Several Got Away,” accompanied by a surreal music video directed by Guy Kozak.
Background and Recording Approach
The Massachusetts trio—reunited in 2005—recorded the album over a year at Bisquiteen Studio in Amherst, Massachusetts. Emphasizing a stripped-back method, the band relied on a vintage 1970s Mesa Boogie MK I amplifier, echoing the overdriven tone of their 1985 debut while preserving the melodic confidence of later work.
Key Members and Production Details
- J Mascis – guitar, vocals, primary songwriter; played the Mesa Boogie amp and guided the album’s sonic direction.
- Lou Barlow – bass and backing vocals.
- Chris Dixon – engineer, who supplied the same amp model used on the band’s first record.
Tour Schedule and Geographic Reach
Following co-headlining summer dates with Band of Horses (through 1 August), Dinosaur Jr. will launch a fall North American tour beginning 9 October 2026 in Las Vegas. Subsequent stops include Tempe, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Salt Lake City, Denver, Dallas, Austin, Houston, and a finale in New Orleans on 7 November 2026.
Data & Statistics
- 13th studio album, first new release since 2021’s Sweep It Into Space.
- Sixth album recorded by the classic lineup since the 2005 reunion.
- Album recorded over 12 months at a single studio.
- Fall tour comprises 11 U.S. cities over a 30-day span.
Why It Matters
“There Near” demonstrates Dinosaur Jr.’s continued relevance in alternative rock, a genre they helped shape in the 1990s. By revisiting the raw amp tone of their early work while integrating mature songwriting, the band signals both a homage to their legacy and a commitment to fresh creative energy.
Official Statements & Responses
J Mascis explained that he deliberately adopted the vintage amp after recalling a common production tactic: “You always hear how Rick Rubin makes bands he’s producing sit down and listen to their first album and say ‘let’s get back to that sound.’ So I just gave myself his advice.” The band’s press release emphasized that the album balances “deafening noise with aching melody,” aiming to recapture early grit without sacrificing the melodic confidence of later releases.
Verbatim Quotes
- “You always hear how Rick Rubin always makes bands he’s producing sit down and listen to their first album and say let’s get back to that sound. So I just gave myself his advice,” — J Mascis, guitarist and vocalist
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
All sources concur on release date, tour itinerary, and recording details; no discrepancies were identified. Information about exact Australian tour dates remains pending.
What’s Next
After the U.S. leg concludes in November, Dinosaur Jr. plans to announce dates for an Australian tour later in 2026, extending the promotional cycle for There Near into the Southern Hemisphere.
