King Crimson Begin Work on First Album in 20 Years

A Quiet Return After Loss

King Crimson are officially working on their first studio album in over 20 years. The band had been mostly quiet since 2022, when co-founder Ian McDonald passed away. That was followed by the deaths of lyricist Peter Sinfield in late 2024 and former percussionist Jamie Muir in early 2025.

Even with the recent loss of several key members, the group is moving forward. Singer and guitarist Jakko Jakszyk shared the update during an interview with Goldmine Magazine. He recalled joining the band in 2013, saying, “It was an amazing thing to have done, and in a way, part of it’s still happening.” Then he added, “As we speak, we’re doing a King Crimson studio album.”

 

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Few Details, but Progress Confirmed

Jakszyk didn’t give many details about the new release. He explained, “When that will come out and what format or how – that’s beyond my brief.” But he did confirm that the current recording lineup is the same group fans last saw on stage.

The musicians involved in the new material include Robert Fripp, Mel Collins, Tony Levin, Pat Mastelotto, Gavin Harrison, Jeremy Stacey, and Jakszyk himself. According to Jakszyk, the process has been slow but steady. “We’ve been doing it piecemeal,” he said, “and then a couple of months ago, the management said, ‘Can we?’ So, yeah. I’ve been recording that with a view to it coming out in some format at some point. But who knows when?”

New and Familiar Material

Fans can expect a mix of both familiar and new songs. Jakszyk noted that parts of the record will include “the studio versions” of songs already featured in the band’s past live performances. He also said, “Some other bits and pieces will emerge from putting it together.”

He also mentioned another related project. “Plus, there’s also an album I made with Robert before I joined Crimson called The Scarcity Of Miracles. There’s a version of it that’s about to come out with loads and loads of extra stuff.”

King Crimson’s last studio album, The Power To Believe, came out in 2003. Their most recent tour with the current members took place in 2021. There’s no set release date for the new material at this time.