Dec 15
Melissa Etheridge Announces 'RISE' Album and Expansive 2026 Tour, Marking First Studio Release in Five Years
READ TIME: 3 MIN.
Melissa Etheridge, the Grammy-winning rock artist known for hits like "Come to My Window"and "I'm the Only One, "has announced her 17th studio album, "RISE", marking her first collection of new songs in five years. The album is scheduled for release on March 27, 2026, through Sun Records, and is available now for pre-order and pre-save in formats including CD, standard vinyl LP, limited-edition white vinyl, and tan-smoke vinyl.
"RISE" was co-produced by Etheridge and Shooter Jennings, recorded at the historic Sunset Sound studio in Los Angeles. Jennings described the collaboration as "one of the greatest times of my life"and praised Etheridge as "one of the greatest rock and roll artists of our lifetime." The 11-track album is described across multiple outlets as Etheridge's most personal project to date, reflecting deeply on her life experiences.
Among the standout tracks is "The Other Side of Blue, "a duet with country star Chris Stapleton, who also co-wrote the song. Another poignant song, "Call You, "serves as an emotional tribute to Etheridge's son, Beckett Cypher, who passed away in 2020 at age 21 due to opioid addiction. The full tracklist includes: "Bein'Alive, " "Matches, " "Rise, " "Don't You Want a Woman, " "Other Side of Blue, " "If You Ever Leave Me, " "Davina, " "To Be a Woman, " "Tomboy, " "Call You, "and "More Love."
Etheridge has shared that the album draws from pivotal moments in her musical journey. The lead single "Matches, "released alongside the announcement, is a country-flavored roots-rock tune accompanied by a lyric video on her official YouTube channel . In it, she reflects on watching Johnny Cash's 1970 performance at the U. S. Penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas, at age 8, which ignited her passion for music. "When I say ‘Mama, let me play with the matches’ I really wanted to play that music, "Etheridge stated. This follows the first advance single, "Don't You Want a Woman, "released in October 2025.
Supporting the album, Etheridge announced "The Rise Tour, "a comprehensive North American run kicking off on March 26, 2026, at the Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts in Detroit, Michigan, and concluding on May 9, 2026, at the Weldon Mills Theatre in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina. Tickets for all confirmed dates are on sale now via MelissaEtheridge.com.
Songs from "RISE" will be featured prominently on the tour, blending new material with Etheridge's classic catalog. Etheridge is also set to promote the album on Talk Shop Live on March 12, 2026. One confirmed tour stop includes a return to The Center Presents on May 3, 2026.
Since coming out as a lesbian in 1993, Melissa Etheridge has been a trailblazing figure for LGBTQ+ visibility in mainstream rock music, using her platform to advocate for queer rights and inclusion. Her relationship with filmmaker Julie Cypher, with whom she shares two children including Beckett, and her subsequent marriage to Linda Wallem, have placed her at the forefront of conversations around diverse family structures in the LGBTQ+ community. "RISE"'s personal themes, particularly "Call You, "resonate with broader LGBTQ+ experiences of loss, resilience, and healing, themes Etheridge has explored in her memoir "Talking To My Angels" and public discussions on family and addiction.
Etheridge's announcement on Instagram has sparked excitement among fans, many of whom highlight her role as an enduring queer icon in entertainment. The album's release through Sun Records, home to legends like Johnny Cash, ties into Etheridge's roots-rock influences and her story in "Matches, "bridging her personal narrative with music history. At 64, Etheridge continues to defy expectations, positioning "RISE" as a testament to her vitality and artistic evolution, inspiring LGBTQ+ artists and fans alike with messages of rising above adversity.
This project follows her 2021 release "One Way Out", reinforcing her commitment to authentic storytelling. Fans can join the Etheridge Nation community for exclusive content, pre-sales, and live streams via her official site . As "RISE" approaches, it promises to reaffirm Etheridge's place as a powerhouse whose music speaks to universal human experiences while celebrating her unique journey as an out lesbian artist.
