Starless (A Perfect Circle song)
| "Starless" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by A Perfect Circle | ||||
| Released | May 27, 2026 | |||
| Recorded | 2026 | |||
| Length | 4:33 | |||
| Songwriters | Maynard James Keenan, Billy Howerdel | |||
| Producer | Billy Howerdel | |||
| A Perfect Circle singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Starless" is a song by American rock band A Perfect Circle. It is their second non-album single to be released since 2018's Eat the Elephant, following "Kindred" in 2024. As of August 2026, it had peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart.
Background
Despite the band often spending many years writing and changing the song, "Starless" was written in early 2026 and released on May 27, 2026.[1] The song was released as a single, the band's first since 2024" "Kindred".[2] The song was written by vocalist Maynard James Keenan and guitarist Billy Howerdel, and features drumming by Josh Freese, alongside Keenan's and Howerdel's performances.[2] The song did not receive a formal music video, but was released with a music visualizer.[3] The song was released in promotion to the band's then-upcoming UK tour,[4] their first tour in the area in eight years.[5]
The song's May release lead to speculation to the band releasing future music; the month following its release, Howerdel confirmed that the band was working on a new album, though did not confirm any other released details, including whether or not "Starless" would be on the future album.[6] As of August 2026, the song had peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart, making it their most popular song on the chart in over 2 decades, and making it their fourth highest charting position on the chart following "Weak and Powerless", (number 1 in 2003) "The Outsider" (number 3 in 2004) and "Judith" (number 4 in 2000).[7][8]
Themes and composition
Publications noted that the song sounded similar to the band's earlier work.[9] NME described the song as "move[ing] between gritty, guitar-driven riffs and ethereal, heartfelt moments of tenderness.[2] Revolver interpreted the song's lyrics to be about questioning the immorality of modern authority figures.[10]
Reception
Revolver called the song the best new song of the week upon its release, praising Keenan's vocal delivery and Freese's drumming.[10]
Personnel
Credits[11]
Band
- Maynard James Keenan – vocals,
- Billy Howerdel – guitars, bass
- Josh Freese – drums
Production
- Billy Howerdel - production
- Matty Green - mixing
Charts
| Chart (2026) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[7] | 5 |
References
- ↑ "Listen to A Perfect Circle's grandiose new single Starless". Kerrang!. May 27, 2026.
- 1 2 3 Dunworth, Liberty (May 28, 2026). "A Perfect Circle surprise release epic new single 'Starless'".
- ↑ Pope, Cervanté (May 27, 2026). "A PERFECT CIRCLE Release New Single and Visualizer "Starless"".
- ↑ Hickman, Langdon (May 27, 2026). "A Perfect Circle Unleash Surprise New Song "Starless" Ahead of 2026 Tour".
- ↑ Adams, Gregory. "Hear A PERFECT CIRCLE's stunning surprise song "Starless"".
- ↑ Dunworth, Liberty (June 16, 2026). "A Perfect Circle "working towards something" with new music".
- 1 2 "Mainstream Rock Airplay". November 28, 2013.
- ↑ "A Perfect Circle – Chart History: Mainstream Rock Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 28, 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2018.
- ↑ "A Perfect Circle Return With New Single "Starless": Listen". stereogum.com. May 27, 2026.
- 1 2 Adams, Gregory. "6 best new songs right now".
- ↑ "A Perfect Circle Releases First Song in 8 Years with "Starless"". May 27, 2026.