American Football Interview: Evolution and Ambition on LP4

American rock band American Football is set to release their fourth self-titled studio album, also known as LP4, on May 1, 2026, via Polyvinyl Record Co. The upcoming record marks the group’s first full studio release in nearly seven years, following 2019’s LP3. Described by the band and their label as a peak in their sonic and emotional evolution, the album moves beyond the narrow framework of the group’s Midwest emo origins to explore more complex, adult themes through an ambitious recording process.

The album is characterized by a stark emotional contrast. Polyvinyl has described the work as unflinchingly heavy, noting that themes of suicide, shame, divorce, addiction, self-loathing, and rebirth surface throughout the tracks. This darkness is balanced by moments of irreverence and levity. Guitarist Steve Holmes described the record as the band’s darkest to date, while noting that it also contains their most playful pop songs, such as Patron Saint of Pale and Wake Her Up.

Evolution of Process and Sound

The creation of LP4 involved a significant shift in how the band approached songwriting and recording. Unlike previous records that relied on incremental tweaks, the band entered the studio with fully formed songs. They collaborated with producer Sonny DiPerri, who previously worked with Mike and Nate Kinsella on their 2023 synth-leaning side project, LIES. Recording took place across multiple locations, including Studio Panoramic House in Stinson Beach, California, as well as studios in Chicago and Los Angeles.

A key change in the recording process involved drummer Steve Lamos. To reduce the stress of last-minute arrangement changes, Lamos recorded his drum parts independently after the songs were largely shaped by Mike and Nate Kinsella. This approach, according to Nate Kinsella, resulted in drum performances that feel more alive and carry more energy.

The band also expanded their sonic palette, incorporating more synthesizers and electronic elements. This is evident in the album opener, Man Overboard, which Steve Holmes described as the band’s most straight-up prog rock song. The record also features the use of vibraphone and percussion provided by Cory Bracken, and elements of drone and staccato arrangements inspired by composer Steve Reich on the track Desdemona.

Collaborations and Guest Appearances

To further expand the album’s texture, American Football collaborated with several guest vocalists. Brendan Yates of Turnstile contributed gang vocals and harmonies to the record. Natalie R. Lu of Wisp provided an ethereal and ghostly vocal presence on the song Wake Her Up. Caithlin De Marrais of Rainer Maria, a long-time friend and collaborator of the band, provided vocals that Mike Kinsella described as one of the favorite performances on the album.

Legacy and Context

American Football’s legacy is deeply tied to their 1999 self-titled debut, which became a touchstone of indie rock. The band, originally hailing from Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, broke up shortly after that first release before reforming in 2014. In a nod to their history, the band members purchased the Urbana house featured on the cover of their debut album in 2023 and currently rent it as an Airbnb.

The band members reflect on LP4 as a statement of purpose that accepts the complexities of middle age. Steve Holmes compared the record’s gravitas and resignation to the later work of Bob Dylan, suggesting that the lyrics reflect the PTSD of the pandemic while going through a divorce, eventually finding a path toward hope and rebirth.

If you’re not challenging yourself and progressing, what’s the point? I do think, as individual musicians but also as a band, we’re at our peak.

Steve Holmes

Leading up to the May 1 release, the band has issued two singles: Bad Moons, released on February 25, 2026, and No Feeling, released on April 8, 2026. The final album has a total length of 49 minutes and 46 seconds.