THAO’s New Show features Tune-Yards and Linda Lindas

After a six-year hiatus, musician THAO has unveiled her highly anticipated album, Show Me, marking a significant moment in her career as her first full-length release under her own name. This self-produced record arrives on October 30th via Kill Rock Stars and serves as a powerful chronicle of personal evolution.

The creative direction for the album saw THAO team up with renowned songwriters Merrill Garbus and Nate Brenner, who also served as co-producers and co-writers. The resulting work blends her distinctive voice with an energetic, protest-driven sound that immediately commands attention.

The lead single, “Sick of the Times,” is more than just a catchy track; it’s positioned as an art-rock anthem designed to spark dialogue. THAO shared that she envisioned the song extending far beyond the music, aiming to serve as a tool for community organizing and emotional preparation for political engagement at all levels.

“We need to keep each other buoyant, to remind ourselves we’ve got the numbers and the imperative,” THAO explains. She hopes the anthem can help listeners feel activated and politically engaged, especially within local communities seeking mutual aid.

The project is bolstered by a stellar collection of collaborators. The album features appearances by Neko Case and Black Pumas’ Adrian Quesada, adding layers of rich, diverse musical texture to THAO’s narrative. Brenner served as a principal creative partner throughout the entire process, ensuring the record felt deeply personal and cohesive.

Beyond the music itself, Show Me delves into profound personal territory. THAO described the album as a real-time record of navigating significant life transitions, including divorce and the dissolution of her home life. It is an honest reflection on evolving relationships with love and desire over the past few years.

This exploration extends to identity, too. While publicly open about her queer identity, THAO has drawn upon these experiences in her songwriting for the first time in depth. Some tracks are snapshots of moments she never felt before, while others function as deep ruminations on what she needs to hold onto and what she seeks to move toward.

Despite the weight of personal history, THAO remains a dynamic force in the arts scene. In recent years, she has remained highly active, guest-hosting podcasts like Song Exploder and PBS’ Southern Storytellers, developed musical projects, and begun work on her first book for Graywolf Press.

The momentum continues with a planned fall tour kicking off November 3rd in Los Angeles’ Lodge Room. Reflecting the activist spirit woven into the album, the tour includes stops across California, New York, Providence, and beyond. In keeping with this commitment to social causes, THAO has pledged that one dollar from every ticket sold for the Los Angeles and San Francisco shows will be donated to Working Families Power.