Democracy might be under siege globally, but Tori Amos isn’t retreating to safer artistic ground. The singer-songwriter has announced In Times of Dragons, a new album she describes as a “metaphorical battle for democracy against tyranny,” arriving April 10, 2026, via Universal’s relaunched Fontana label. This marks her first major release since 2021’s Ocean to Ocean and signals an artist who’s never shied away from controversy doubling down on confrontational themes when the world feels most fractured.
Dragons, Demons, and Democracy’s Fragile State
Amos characterizes the album as addressing the “non accidental burning down of democracy…by the ‘Dictator believing Lizard Demons,’” according to the official announcement. This provocative imagery reflects her continued evolution as a songwriter unafraid to weaponize mythology against contemporary threats. Following her recent foray into children’s literature with the soundtrack to “Tori and the Muses” earlier this year, Dragons represents a sharp pivot back to the politically charged territory that has defined her most compelling work.
Europe Gets the Royal Treatment
The accompanying European tour promises to be Amos’s most ambitious overseas venture in years, hitting major venues including London’s Royal Albert Hall on April 21 and Amsterdam’s prestigious Carré Theatre for back-to-back nights. The trek launches April 8 in Sheffield and winds through Paris, Warsaw, Hamburg, Helsinki, and Vilnius before wrapping in May.
The tour features longtime collaborators:
- Jon Evans on bass
- Ash Soan on drums
- Vocalists Liv Gibson, Deni Hlavlinka, and Hadley Kennary bringing fresh energy to familiar arrangements
Pre-Orders Meet Political Theater
Fans who pre-order the album through Amos’s official shop receive priority access to ticket presales, creating a direct pipeline from political statement to live performance. The release also represents a significant moment for Universal’s Fontana label, recently relaunched to support high-profile international artists seeking creative freedom.
The timing feels intentional—art meeting moment when democracy feels genuinely fragile. Amos has always understood that piano ballads can carry as much revolutionary weight as protest songs, and Dragons positions her squarely in the tradition of artists who refuse to separate their craft from their conscience.
