Sturgill Simpson, as Johnny Blue Skies, has released Mutiny After Midnight—the follow-up to 2024's Passage du Desir—via a self-orchestrated leak and physical formats on March 13, 2026. The chaotic rollout marks his biggest debut week and supports independent record shops, as detailed in a deleted Instagram story.
Building on the February announcement of the groove-centered dance album recorded at Easy Eye Sound, Johnny Blue Skies (Sturgill Simpson) and the Dark Clouds officially launched Mutiny After Midnight on March 13, 2026, initially in physical formats like vinyl, CDs, and cassettes via Atlantic Outpost.
The album briefly appeared on YouTube earlier in March before removal, fulfilling Simpson's desire to 'leak his own record.' In a now-deleted Instagram story, he explained the physical-only plan for the first 4-6 weeks to support indie shops and foster tangible music connections, but pivoted for 'more fun and chaos.' He encouraged physical purchases or even illegal streams, urging fans to 'put the phone down... and crank it with some friends or even strangers.' Digital release with bonus tracks is expected later.
Rolling Stone praised it as 'inspired by the carnal things that happen after the clock strikes 12.' No tour dates yet, following the band's prior work on Passage du Desir. Simpson ended: 'It’s all the same fucking day man, so don’t let the bastards ya down.' The strategy drove his top first-week sales.
