Mercury Comet (album)

Mercury Comet
Studio album by
Smash Mouth
ReleasedAugust 12, 2026
Recorded2024–2026
StudiosSound Management Studios, San Jose, California
Genres
Length35:36
LabelSelf-released
Producers
Smash Mouth chronology
Missile Toes
(2023)		 Mercury Comet
(2026)
Singles from Mercury Comet
  1. "Better Believer"
    Released: June 10, 2026
  2. "Had Enuff"
    Released: July 15, 2026
  3. "Monsters on My Block"
    Released: August 3, 2026
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Maxazine6/10[3]

Mercury Comet is the ninth studio album by American rock band Smash Mouth, released on August 12, 2026. It is the band's second studio album to have Zach Goode on lead vocals. It is also their first original album in 14 years, following 2012's Magic,[4][5][1] and the first original album to not feature Steve Harwell on lead vocals, following his retirement in 2021 and death in 2023. The album has been described as a "new chapter" for the band going forward.[4][6][7]

Background

Following Zach Goode's arrival in 2021, Smash Mouth returned to recording singles, such as "4th of July," "Underground Sun," and "Ride On;" the latter of which was described as a continuation of the 2001 single "Pacific Coast Party." In December of 2023, the band released the Christmas album, Missile Toes.[5]

On March 12, 2024, the band hinted at returning to the studio to record a new studio LP in the same ska punk style as their 1997 debut, Fush Yu Mang.[8] The album was officially confirmed in early December 2024, under the working title Fush Yu Too.[9][10] The idea to make it similar to Fush Yu Mang came from their manager, Robert Hayes.[1][2] In an interview with Vice, bassist Paul De Lisle admitted the production process was "similar to making the first album. We did have a lot of time to make this record, as we did the first one. You know, as they say, you have your whole life to make your first record and six months to make your second."[1] De Lisle revealed in a separate interview that a bunch of the songs came from a backlog of music that former frontman Steve Harwell did not want to record.[2]

Mercury Comet signals a "new chapter" for the band, as it intends to blend the band's signature pop rock, surf punk, ska and retro sound with "fresh musical directions."[11][5][1] De Lisle was the primary songwriter, although every member contributed in some way, noting particularly how singer Goode and keyboardist Michael Klooster "really stepped up."[1]

The album's lead single, "Better Believer," came to be when Harwell challenged De Lisle by saying he couldn't write hit songs, which De Lisle used as motivation.[4][2] Goode said the single "Had Enuff" is about "reaching your breaking point and finally deciding you've had enough,"[11] while ""Monsters on My Block" reminds us that sometimes the things we're afraid of aren't monsters at all... they're simply people we don't understand."[12]

Release and promotion

The album's name and cover art were formally revealed on March 4, 2025, with a June release initially set.[13] However, the album was delayed indefinitely at an unknown point. A year later, in March of 2026, the album's new date was confirmed to be August 12, with the lead single "Better Believer" releasing on June 10.[14][4] On July 15, 2026, the second single, "Had Enuff," was released.[5] A third single, "Monsters on My Block," was released on August 3, 2026.[15][12]

Touring

The album was supported throughout 2025, under the "Mercury Comet Tour."[16][17] Throughout 2026, the band will tour in support of the album again, under the "Go for the Moon Tour."[6][5]

Similarity allegations

On August 15, 2026, Fountains of Wayne singer Chris Collingwood made a post on Bluesky claiming the song "Monsters on My Block" was a copy of their song "The Valley of Malls."[18]

Track listing

Adapted from Spotify.[19]

All tracks are written by Paul De Lisle, except where noted.

Mercury Comet track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Better Believer" 3:06
2."Whiskey Gin & Wine" 2:37
3."Had Enuff" 2:56
4."Big Sur Sky" 2:45
5."House of the Setting Sun" 3:21
6."Monsters on My Block"Zach Goode3:05
7."New Wave Rodeo" 3:20
8."Gimme Gimme" 2:48
9."Jackie-O" 2:18
10."Soaking Up the Sun"
3:18
11."Face in the Crowd" 2:37
12."Midnight Doctor (Mercury Comet)" 3:25
Total length:35:36

Personnel

Smash Mouth

Technical personnel

  • Paul De Lisle – producer
  • Deegan Mack Adams – producer
  • Robert Orton – mixing

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Galiher, Stephen (August 12, 2026). "Revenge of the Astro Lounge: Smash Mouth Reignite Their Surf Punk Roots for New Record, 'Mercury Comet' [Exclusive]". Vice. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "My Weekly Mixtape - "Smash Mouth's Paul De Lisle on All Star, Shrek, and the Long Road to Mercury Comet"". Muck Rack. August 13, 2026. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  3. ↑ Dupont, Anton (August 10, 2026). "Smash Mouth – Mercury Comet". Maxazine. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Smash Mouth Return With First Original Album In 14 Years As Steve Harwell's Challenge Inspires New Single". Reckless. June 10, 2026. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Dizon, Madz (July 16, 2026). "90s Rock Band Announces New Album for the First Time in 14 Years". Parade. Retrieved August 5, 2026.
  6. 1 2 "Smash Mouth to kick off Paperfest 2026 this July in Kimberly". Kaukauna Community News. April 24, 2026. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Smash Mouth to headline Paperfest kickoff with free concert". WGBA-TV. April 23, 2026. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Smash Mouth on X: "when we play a deep-cut and the crowd just wants all star. "Padrino" is from our 1997 debut LP and it became a true fan favorite. perhaps we go back to the lab and record a new LP in this style??? FUSH24!"". Twitter. March 12, 2024. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Smash Mouth on X: "new full length LP due end of Feb-ish. #fushyutoo"". Twitter. December 4, 2024. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Smash Mouth on X: "We are working on FUSH YU 2! Thanks! New LP soon!"". January 17, 2025. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
  11. 1 2 Zach Goode (July 16, 2026). "Smash Mouth Releases "Had Enuff," New Single From Upcoming Album Mercury Comet". Retrieved August 5, 2026.
  12. 1 2 Zach Goode (August 3, 2026). "Smash Mouth's New Single "Monsters on My Block" Is Out Today". Retrieved August 9, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Smash Mouth on X: "Brand new LP incoming! The working title for this album is Fush Yu Too(2)! Style of songs harkening back to our very first LP released in 1997. Look for "Mercury Comet" in June-25. We can't wait to share these new songs with you."". Twitter. March 4, 2025. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
  14. ↑ "Smash Mouth on Instagram". March 22, 2026. We are excited to bring you our brand-new single "Better Believer" that will be released June 10th. You can pre-save it right now by clicking the link in our bio. This single is featured on our brand-new full-length album titled "Mercury Comet" that will be released Aug 12th.
  15. ↑ "Monsters On My Block - Single". Apple Music. August 3, 2026. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
  16. ↑ "Smash Mouth on X: "Announcing the MERCURY COMET TOUR-25. Stay tuned for more dates in a city near you! Bringing all the hits and a few surprises!"". Twitter. March 3, 2025. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Smash Mouth Mercury Comet Tour 2025!!!". Sean Hurwitz. Retrieved August 5, 2026.
  18. ↑ Chris Collingwood (August 15, 2026). "This Smash Mouth song is in fact my song Valley of Malls". Bluesky. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  19. ↑ "Mercury Comet - Album by Smash Mouth". Spotify.
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