Written by JAMES MICHAEL
Iron & Wine is officially back, and 2026 is shaping up to be a big year for longtime fans.
The beloved indie folk project led by Sam Beam has announced a brand-new studio album titled Hen’s Teeth, set for release on February 27, 2026. Alongside the album news, Beam also confirmed an extensive tour spanning Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, and North America.
Beam says the album’s title reflects something rare and unexpected. “To me it suggests the impossible,” he explained. “Hen’s teeth do not exist. And that’s what this record felt like — a gift that shouldn’t be there but it is. An impossible thing, but it’s real.”
Hen’s Teeth follows 2024’s Light Verse, which was praised for its introspective songwriting and refined arrangements. This new release carries special personal meaning as well: Beam’s daughter, Arden Beam, appears on four tracks, marking her recording debut.
Since emerging in the early 2000s, Iron & Wine has remained a cornerstone of the indie folk world. Beam first gained attention with 2002’s The Creek Drank the Cradle, a lo-fi, home-recorded album that highlighted his hushed vocals and poetic storytelling. Over the years, his sound has expanded into richer, more adventurous territory, incorporating full-band arrangements, jazz influences, and lush production while maintaining the intimacy that defines his work.
Fans can already hear what’s next with the release of the album’s first single, “In Your Ocean.”
To support Hen’s Teeth, Iron & Wine will tour throughout 2026, performing across Australia, New Zealand, and North America, with select dates featuring special supporting artists.