King Crimson Guarantees New Album Will Be Out!

Jakko Jakszyk, longtime guitarist and vocalist for King Crimson, has revealed that the legendary prog-rock band is working on new material for a studio album—though there’s no word yet on when (or if) it will be released.

Speaking with Goldmine, Jakszyk explained that the final touring lineup of the band—last seen on the road in 2021—has been recording parts of the album gradually over time.

A Project in Progress

Jakszyk, who officially joined the group in 2013, had already been collaborating with King Crimson founder Robert Fripp prior to that, notably on the 2011 album A Scarcity of Miracles. He recalled the moment he was invited to join Crimson’s reformed lineup. He said:

“When Robert eventually phoned… to inform me that he decided to re-form the band and to ask if I would be the lead singer and second guitarist, one of the first people I phoned excitedly… was a bass player called Nick Beggs.
“Nick’s response was, ‘Well, that’s the longest audition in rock history!’”

Now, more than a decade later, the band’s legacy continues—quietly and carefully. “As we speak, we’re doing a King Crimson studio album,” Jakszyk confirmed. “We’ve been working on it piecemeal. A couple of months ago, management said, ‘Can we?’ So I’ve been recording with the idea that it will come out in some format eventually—but who knows when or how?”

Familiar Faces and Uncertain Futures

Jakszyk noted that Tony Levin, Mel Collins, Pat Mastelotto, Gavin Harrison, and Jeremy Stacey—all key members of Crimson’s most recent live ensemble—are participating in the sessions. Much of the material comes from performances during their last tours, but some new elements are being added as well.

“The studio versions of those pieces and some other bits and pieces will emerge,” he said. “I think so.”

In addition, a reissue of A Scarcity of Miracles is in the works, which will include alternate takes and improvisations not featured on the original album. “Because of the nature of how we made that record, there’s lots of improvisation and seriously alternate versions of things that we didn’t release,” Jakszyk shared.

As for live performances, nothing is confirmed. “There are future plans for some live film of us playing in various places,” he said. “There’s an ongoing thread.”

However, he also acknowledged that touring may not be in the cards, especially following Robert Fripp’s recent health issues. “Whether that means we’ll ever play live again, I don’t know,” he admitted.