Sting has launched an expanded version of his album The Last Ship, featuring five newly recorded tracks. The release aligns with upcoming international theater productions of the musical, where he will reprise his role as Jackie White. Available in digital, CD, and vinyl formats, the album explores themes of community and resilience inspired by his hometown.
The expanded edition of The Last Ship builds on the original soundtrack from the 2014 Broadway musical, which earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Original Score. Inspired by Wallsend in northeast England, Sting's birthplace and a historic shipbuilding hub, the work depicts a community's struggle amid the industry's decline. The new tracks include “Island of Souls (2025),” “Shipyard” featuring Joe Caffrey, Brian Johnson, and Jo Lawry, “Ship of State” with Renée Fleming, “If You Ever See Me Talking to a Sailor” alongside Frances McNamee, and “O’Brien’s Hymn.”
This release, produced by Sting and Rob Mathes and mixed by Donal Hodgson with GRAMMY winner Robert “Hitmixer” Orton, also incorporates new liner notes by playwright Barney Norris for the 2026 production. The full track listing spans 24 songs across formats, blending originals with these additions to deepen the narrative of home, identity, and perseverance.
Timing with theater revivals underscores the project's ongoing relevance. Performances are set for Amsterdam, Paris, Brisbane, and New York's Metropolitan Opera House, where Sting returns as Jackie White. Globally available since December 28, 2025, the edition celebrates the musical's worldwide acclaim and Sting's personal ties to its story of hope and communal strength.