Flaming Lips album without drummer Steven Drozd
The world of The Flaming Lips has taken a significant turn, announcing a new chapter that marks a departure for its creative force. Steven Drozd is no longer part of the band, a reality that follows a period of complex personal history and has led to an exciting new artistic direction.
The story of the band’s evolution is layered with personal experience. In late 2025, Drozd revealed he was no longer with The Flaming Lips, a statement that brought further clarification from Wayne Coyne, who addressed the situation directly. Drozd explained that the band’s touring schedule was no longer working for him, and he detailed that during a time of personal struggle, including a trip to rehab for alcoholism, communication with Coyne had ceased.
Despite this change in membership, the Lips are poised for a fresh start. They have now unveiled their first new album without Drozd since 1992, and their first release not on Warner Records since 1990. This latest offering is titled The Teardrop Throbs, which is set to arrive on January 22th, released through Third Man Records.
The new record, The Teardrop Throbs, is a 13-track journey. The music was produced by the band themselves, along with Taylor Johnson, Dave Fridmann, and Scott Booker, and further enhanced by Jon Fridmann and Mike Fridmann. The project is previewed with the lead single, “God Will Control the Werewolves“.
“God Will Control the Werewolves” was born from a simple, childlike memory for Coyne, stemming from a game of hide-and-seek where he told his sons, Bloom and Rex, the phrase as the darkness settled outside.
Musicians have offered fascinating comparisons regarding the sound of the new work. One member noted that listening to the song sounded somewhat like Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon, but with the distinctive touch of Syd Barrett still woven into the fabric of the sound.
The full tracklist for The Teardrop Throbs includes:
- Throb
- God Will Control the Werewolves
- Titan
- Every Teardrop Cried
- Hooray
- Instructions on How to Draw An Eyeball or How to Deal With a Loved One Who Is Addicted to Drugs
- You See You in Me
- You’ve Got Brain Damage
- At the End of the Day
- The Trees Are Getting Their Leaves / Ceasefire in the City of Singing Flame
- Ego Tripping at the Gates of Hell Part Two
- A Sunset Far Away
- Now I Understand
This new album signals a dynamic evolution for The Flaming Lips, offering a distinct creative voice built on personal experience and a willingness to explore new sonic landscapes.
Pre-order The Teardrop Throbs.
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