The Flaming Lips announced their 17th studio album, The Teardrop Throbs, on Monday (26), with a release date of January 22 via Third Man Records. It is their first album of new material in seven years, following 2020's American Head.

The 13-track record is the band's first album in 35 years without multi-instrumentalist Steven Drozd, who has left the group. The single God Will Control the Werewolves leads the release, alongside a sequel to Ego Tripping at the Gates of Hell, from Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots.

Wayne Coyne accompanied the announcement with a statement of more than 2,000 words about the writing process, fatherhood and the stories behind the songs. The album was produced by the band with Taylor Johnson, Dave Fridmann and Scott Booker, with additional production from Jon and Mike Fridmann.

After the release, the group plays a run of intimate shows in Nashville, New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, plus two nights in London in April. The band is also preparing a 20th-anniversary edition of At War With the Mystics.