Iron & Wine has announced a new album titled Hen’s Teeth, set for release on February 27, 2026. The record comes out through Sub Pop and follows 2024’s Light Verse. Sam Beam describes the new album as a close companion to that earlier release, shaped during the same creative period but standing on its own.
Beam recorded Hen’s Teeth over several years in the foothills of Los Angeles, working closely with engineer Dave Way, and the album title points to something rare and unlikely. Beam says the phrase “hen’s teeth” refers to something that should not exist yet somehow does. That idea reflects how these songs came together quietly over time and eventually formed a complete record.
The first single and the contributing artists of the album.
The album’s first single, In Your Ocean, is already out, along with an official video directed by Spencer Kelly. The song focuses on intimacy and emotional closeness, portraying two people whose lives and habits have grown deeply intertwined. The video mirrors this theme through a simple domestic moment that turns into a small but telling struggle, grounding the song’s emotions in everyday life.
Hen’s Teeth features many longtime Iron & Wine collaborators. These include David Garza, Sebastian Steinberg, Tyler Chester, Griffin Goldsmith, Beth Goodfellow, Kyle Crane, and Paul Cartwright. The album also includes guest appearances from the trio I’m With Her, Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan, and Sara Watkins, who appear on two tracks, “Robin’s Egg” and “Wait Up.”
One of the most personal elements of the album is the involvement of Beam’s daughter, Arden Beam. She makes her recording debut here, contributing vocals on several songs across the record.
Alongside the album announcement, Iron & Wine has shared touring plans for 2026. The tour will begin with dates in Australia and New Zealand, followed by shows across North America through spring, with additional dates scheduled later in the year.
