Naeba, Japan – American Football, the band often credited with defining the “midwest emo” subgenre, has released their new single, “Terrible Moons,” alongside a compelling music video. The track serves as the lead single from their fourth studio album, American Football (LP4), slated for release on May 1st via Polyvinyl Records. The announcement comes as the band prepares for a world tour that includes a performance at Fuji Rock Festival ’26 in Japan.
Produced by Sonny DiPerri, “Bad Moons” is an expansive, eight-minute track born from two separate demos. The song masterfully blends emotional depth with intricate instrumentation. According to descriptions, the track layers a repeating harp sample with the band’s signature interwoven guitars, dynamic rhythms, spatial effects and the introspective vocals of Mike Kinsella, also known as Owen. The song builds from a gentle opening to a fervent jam session, culminating in a subdued coda, offering a dynamic listening experience.
Kinsella described the song’s genesis as a “Frankenstein” creation, piecing together two distinct demos. One was playful, evoking images of children playing with a toy piano, while the other was darker, featuring distorted guitars and booming drums. He explained, “I think the biggest challenge was how to thematically tie together the innocence and floatiness of the first half with the deep despair of the second. So I started writing the song from the perspective of a kid, or rather, two kids huddled together in one trench coat, secretly living the life of a grown man, kind of reluctantly. Slowly taking on his mistakes and guilt. By the conclude of the song, those mistakes are about to spill out of them. Hopefully it’s a cathartic confession, and maybe someone who’s lived a life can relate.”
The music video, directed by Alex Acy and Rémi Belleville, visually complements the song’s themes. It explores the complexities of transitioning from youth to adulthood through a series of slow-motion montages, depicting the struggles, anxieties, and inevitable realities that accompany growth. The video vividly portrays the conflicts and hardships inherent in the process of becoming an adult.
Acy commented on the video’s core message, stating, “I think growing up is about realizing that you can only have empathy for others once you’ve learned to have empathy for yourself. Boys often struggle with this, which leads to a lot of dumb and regrettable behavior. Rémi and I grew up together, so we have a shared perspective on this theme. There are a lot of parallels between where we grew up in Quebec and the Midwest. That’s why it felt natural to root the video in the Canadian countryside.”
American Football (LP4), as signaled by “Bad Moons,” delves into the harsh realities of life, exploring themes of midlife confusion, compromise, loss, and the perspective gained through hardship. The album represents a creative refresh for the band, resulting in their most ambitious work to date – a layered, dissonant, and at times provocative album, consistently grounded in deep emotion.
American Football will kick off a world tour on May 15th in Denver, Colorado, at the Summit Music Hall. The tour schedule includes an appearance at Fuji Rock Festival ’26, marking their first full-scale tour since their 2024 25th-anniversary tour for American Football (LP1). The band is also partnering with PLUS1, donating $1/£1/€1 from each ticket sold to Safe Passage International and the Illinois Coalition for Immigration & Refugee Rights, in response to violence and intimidation faced by immigrant communities across the United States.
Photo by Alexa Viscius
For fans of indie rock and emotionally resonant music, American Football (LP4) promises a compelling exploration of the human condition. The band’s performance at Fuji Rock Festival ’26, held at the Naeba Ski Resort in Niigata Prefecture, Japan, from July 24th to 26th, will be a highly anticipated event for both longtime followers and new listeners alike. The festival’s location, nestled in the Japanese Alps, offers a unique backdrop for the band’s introspective sound.
American Football’s commitment to social responsibility, demonstrated through their partnership with PLUS1, adds another layer to their appeal. The band’s decision to support organizations aiding immigrant communities underscores their awareness of broader societal issues and their willingness to use their platform for positive change.
The release of “Bad Moons” and the announcement of American Football (LP4) mark a significant moment for the band and their dedicated fanbase. With a world tour on the horizon and a performance at a major international festival like Fuji Rock, American Football is poised to continue their legacy as a defining voice in the indie music landscape.
Fans can find more information about the album, tour dates, and the band’s charitable initiatives on their official website and social media channels. The next confirmed date for American Football is May 15th at the Summit Music Hall in Denver, Colorado, before they head to Japan for Fuji Rock Festival.
