Sunday 15 November 2026
James Blunt is back with Airplane Mode, his eighth studio album, out now on Atlantic Records. Released on 6 November 2026, the 12-track record was made with his long-standing touring band and comes ahead of a big UK and Irish arena tour next spring, including a night at The O2 in London. Watch him perform the lead single live below, then read on for five things to know.
1. His First Album in Three Years
Airplane Mode is James Blunt’s first studio album since 2023’s Who We Used to Be, which reached number five in the UK Official Albums Chart. It’s the latest chapter in a career that began with his huge 2004 debut Back to Bedlam, home of ‘You’re Beautiful’, which has sold more than 11 million copies worldwide and been certified 11 times platinum in the UK. Across his career Blunt has sold more than 20 million records. The new album runs to 12 songs and around 42 minutes, and is out now on CD, vinyl, download and all the major streaming services.
2. Recorded in Banbury With His Touring Band
Most of the album was recorded at Pig Music Studios in Banbury, Oxfordshire, with Blunt joined by the band he tours with. That live chemistry runs right through the record, and it should translate well when the songs hit the arena stage next year. Speaking about making the album, Blunt said: “Somewhere back there, I lost my way, but found it again in a studio in Banbury.” Producers on the album include Jonny Coffer, Mark Crew, Mikky Ekko, Red Triangle and long-time collaborator Eg White, among others.
3. Switching Off From Modern Life
As the title suggests, Airplane Mode is about unplugging from the pressures of always-on modern life. The album’s songs capture the ups and downs and surprises of life, from the sunny pop of ‘Tastes Like Summer’ to the reflective ‘Weight of It All’, an acoustic track about the stresses of everyday life. It’s a theme plenty of listeners will recognise, and a nice excuse to put your own phone down for 42 minutes and simply listen. Fans of Blunt’s trademark heartfelt ballads will find plenty here, alongside some more upbeat moments to sing along to.
4. Three Singles and the Full Tracklist
The album was preceded by three singles. The lead single ‘Tastes Like Summer’ arrived on 14 August 2026 and reached number 11 on the UK Singles Sales chart. It was followed by ‘Weight of It All’ on 3 September, the day the album was announced, and ‘Circles’ on 2 October. The full tracklist is: ‘Circles’, ‘Time to Time’, ‘Modern Love’, ‘Tastes Like Summer’, ‘Weight of It All’, ‘Reason to Die’, ‘Hey, People’, ‘In Your Blood’, ‘Leftover Time’, ‘Dancing in My Head’, ‘Oh, Daisy’ and ‘This Is Not Forever’. Look out for the catchy ‘Oh, Daisy’ too.
5. The Airplane Mode Arena Tour in 2027
Blunt takes the new songs on the road with the Airplane Mode Tour in 2027. After dates in mainland Europe from February, the UK leg opens at the First Direct Bank Arena in Leeds on Friday 26 March, then visits Birmingham, Newcastle, Belfast, Glasgow and Manchester. London fans can catch him at The O2 on Sunday 4 April 2027, with doors at 6pm, before he heads to Cardiff on 6 April, the Bournemouth International Centre on 7 April and finishes at the Brighton Centre on Thursday 8 April. Tickets are on sale now, and would make a great Christmas present.
Tickets and info
James Blunt – Airplane Mode
Out now on Atlantic Records (CD, vinyl, download and streaming)
UK tour: 26 March – 8 April 2027
London: The O2, Sunday 4 April 2027
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