Blab Music
Beabadoobee Releases Switchblade Ahead of September Album Pylon
Beabadoobee has released a new single, ‘Switchblade’, ahead of her fourth studio album, ‘Pylon’, which is scheduled for release on September 18, 2026. The track was issued on July 14 through the artist’s labels Dirty Hit and Interscope Records. ‘Switchblade’ follows the first pre‑release from the album, ‘Sun Has Set’, which was issued on June 24 and has accumulated 6.9 million streams on Spotify to date.
The song is described as having a subdued rock sound. Lyrically, the 26‑year‑old singer‑songwriter, born Beatrice Kristi Ilejay Laus, poses questions about self‑defence and agency: “Self‑defence is to be brave/Do you start the fight/Or take the flight?” The track ends without offering a definitive answer, a stance that the artist says reflects a broader theme on the album. In a press release, Laus said that ‘Pylon’ is about accepting that negative feelings will return, and that uncertainty is a necessary part of personal growth. “You have to go through all that shit, I have to write about it,” she added.
The title of the album, ‘Pylon’, is taken from the term for the tall, slender towers that carry high‑voltage power lines across major arteries. Laus explained that the image of pylons reminded her of her connection to friends and family back home while she was experiencing extreme disconnection and isolation on tour over the past few years.
‘Switchblade’ is the second single to be released from ‘Pylon’, following ‘Sun Has Set’, which peaked at 6.9 million Spotify streams. The single’s release is part of a broader rollout that will see the full album available for streaming and purchase on September 18. The album will be available on all major streaming platforms and will be distributed by Interscope Records in the United States and by Dirty Hit in the United Kingdom and Europe.
Beabadoobee first gained attention with a series of EPs released between 2018 and 2021 under Dirty Hit, including ‘Lice’, ‘Patched Up’, ‘Loveworm’, ‘Space Cadet’ and ‘Our Extended Play’. Her debut studio album, ‘Fake It Flowers’, came out in October 2020 and received critical acclaim. She followed that with ‘Beatopia’ in July 2022, which produced the single ‘The Perfect Pair’, and ‘This Is How Tomorrow Moves’ in August 2024, which reached number one on the UK Albums Chart.
The artist has toured extensively, opening for acts such as The 1975, Clairo, Olivia Rodrigo and Taylor Swift. She has also been recognized with nominations for the Rising Star Award at the 2020 Brit Awards and the Radar Award at the 2020 NME Awards.
According to the press release, ‘Switchblade’ continues the album’s exploration of emotional ambiguity. The track’s subdued rock instrumentation contrasts with the more lo‑fi, bedroom‑pop aesthetic that has characterized much of her earlier work. The song’s release on July 14 places it in the middle of a promotional window that will see the artist engage with fans through social media, live performances on streaming platforms, and interviews with music publications.
The release of ‘Switchblade’ and the announcement of ‘Pylon’ add to a growing catalog of work that demonstrates the artist’s willingness to experiment with genre and lyrical content. While the single has not yet entered any official charts, its streaming performance will be closely watched as part of the album’s build‑up. The album’s September release date means that the artist will likely begin a promotional tour in late 2026, though specific dates and venues have not yet been announced.
In summary, Beabadoobee’s new single ‘Switchblade’ is a pre‑release for her upcoming fourth studio album, ‘Pylon’, scheduled for September 18, 2026. The track, released on July 14 through Dirty Hit and Interscope Records, reflects the album’s overarching theme of embracing uncertainty. The album’s title references electricity pylons, symbolizing the artist’s connection to home amid touring isolation. The single follows ‘Sun Has Set’, which has already reached 6.9 million Spotify streams. Fans can expect the full album to be available across all major streaming services on its release date, with further promotional activities to follow.
The song is described as having a subdued rock sound. Lyrically, the 26‑year‑old singer‑songwriter, born Beatrice Kristi Ilejay Laus, poses questions about self‑defence and agency: “Self‑defence is to be brave/Do you start the fight/Or take the flight?” The track ends without offering a definitive answer, a stance that the artist says reflects a broader theme on the album. In a press release, Laus said that ‘Pylon’ is about accepting that negative feelings will return, and that uncertainty is a necessary part of personal growth. “You have to go through all that shit, I have to write about it,” she added.
The title of the album, ‘Pylon’, is taken from the term for the tall, slender towers that carry high‑voltage power lines across major arteries. Laus explained that the image of pylons reminded her of her connection to friends and family back home while she was experiencing extreme disconnection and isolation on tour over the past few years.
‘Switchblade’ is the second single to be released from ‘Pylon’, following ‘Sun Has Set’, which peaked at 6.9 million Spotify streams. The single’s release is part of a broader rollout that will see the full album available for streaming and purchase on September 18. The album will be available on all major streaming platforms and will be distributed by Interscope Records in the United States and by Dirty Hit in the United Kingdom and Europe.
Beabadoobee first gained attention with a series of EPs released between 2018 and 2021 under Dirty Hit, including ‘Lice’, ‘Patched Up’, ‘Loveworm’, ‘Space Cadet’ and ‘Our Extended Play’. Her debut studio album, ‘Fake It Flowers’, came out in October 2020 and received critical acclaim. She followed that with ‘Beatopia’ in July 2022, which produced the single ‘The Perfect Pair’, and ‘This Is How Tomorrow Moves’ in August 2024, which reached number one on the UK Albums Chart.
The artist has toured extensively, opening for acts such as The 1975, Clairo, Olivia Rodrigo and Taylor Swift. She has also been recognized with nominations for the Rising Star Award at the 2020 Brit Awards and the Radar Award at the 2020 NME Awards.
According to the press release, ‘Switchblade’ continues the album’s exploration of emotional ambiguity. The track’s subdued rock instrumentation contrasts with the more lo‑fi, bedroom‑pop aesthetic that has characterized much of her earlier work. The song’s release on July 14 places it in the middle of a promotional window that will see the artist engage with fans through social media, live performances on streaming platforms, and interviews with music publications.
The release of ‘Switchblade’ and the announcement of ‘Pylon’ add to a growing catalog of work that demonstrates the artist’s willingness to experiment with genre and lyrical content. While the single has not yet entered any official charts, its streaming performance will be closely watched as part of the album’s build‑up. The album’s September release date means that the artist will likely begin a promotional tour in late 2026, though specific dates and venues have not yet been announced.
In summary, Beabadoobee’s new single ‘Switchblade’ is a pre‑release for her upcoming fourth studio album, ‘Pylon’, scheduled for September 18, 2026. The track, released on July 14 through Dirty Hit and Interscope Records, reflects the album’s overarching theme of embracing uncertainty. The album’s title references electricity pylons, symbolizing the artist’s connection to home amid touring isolation. The single follows ‘Sun Has Set’, which has already reached 6.9 million Spotify streams. Fans can expect the full album to be available across all major streaming services on its release date, with further promotional activities to follow.
