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5 Crucial Updates On The New Tom Waits Album: Is The Long Wait Finally Over?

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The question of a new Tom Waits album is perhaps the most enduring mystery in modern music, and as of December 21, 2025, the answer remains tantalizingly ambiguous. Fans have been waiting over a decade since his last studio masterpiece, *Bad as Me* (2011), but recent, crucial updates from those closest to the artist suggest that the legendary songwriter is finally stirring. While no official release date for a new record has been announced, a significant hint from his longtime agent confirms that the Bard of the Beatniks is "writing songs again," fueling intense speculation that a follow-up is in development.

This period of silence has been punctuated only by archival releases, reissues, and rare collaborations, making any news—no matter how small—a major event for the dedicated fanbase. The current focus is on a wave of 2025 anniversary editions and previously unreleased tracks, which serve as a reminder of his unparalleled legacy while the world holds its breath for a proper 18th studio album. We dive deep into the most recent information, separating the facts from the fervent fan rumors to give you the most current picture of Tom Waits' musical future.

Thomas Alan Waits: Profile and Biography

Thomas Alan Waits, known simply as Tom Waits, is a celebrated American singer, songwriter, composer, and actor whose career spans over five decades. His distinctive gravelly voice, combined with his poetic, often theatrical lyrics, has cemented his status as a counter-culture icon. His work is known for its fusion of diverse musical styles, from jazz and blues to vaudeville and experimental music, creating a unique soundscape of society’s underworld.

  • Full Name: Thomas Alan Waits
  • Born: December 7, 1949
  • Birthplace: Pomona, California, U.S.
  • Spouse: Kathleen Brennan (married 1980)
  • Occupation: Singer, Songwriter, Composer, Actor
  • Debut Album: *Closing Time* (1973)
  • Key Collaborator: Kathleen Brennan (co-writer, producer, and muse since the 1980s)
  • Musical Styles: Jazz, Blues, Folk, Vaudeville, Experimental Rock, Cabaret
  • Record Labels: Asylum, Island Records, ANTI- Records
  • Notable Accolades: Grammy Award winner, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee (2011)
  • Last Studio Album: *Bad as Me* (2011)

The Crucial Hint: Is Tom Waits Writing Songs Again?

The most significant and recent piece of information regarding new music did not come from a press release, but from a memoir. Paul Charles, Tom Waits' longtime Irish music agent, shared a crucial update in his recent book. This revelation has sent ripples of excitement through the fan community.

The agent confirmed that Tom Waits is currently "writing songs again." While this is not an official album announcement, for an artist who has maintained a famously low profile and a long period of studio silence, this is a major indicator of creative activity. The last full studio album, *Bad as Me*, was released in 2011, making the current gap one of the longest in his career. The news that he is actively composing suggests that the self-imposed hiatus on new material may be nearing its end. The collaboration with his wife and co-writer, Kathleen Brennan, is historically central to his creative process, and any new songs are almost certain to bear her unique influence.

The anticipation is palpable. Fans are drawing comparisons to other legendary artists, like David Bowie and Leonard Cohen, who released critically acclaimed "late-career gems" well into their later years, suggesting that Waits, now in his mid-70s, still has a masterpiece left to deliver.

2025: A Year of Anniversaries and Unreleased Treasures

While we wait for the official word on a new studio album, 2025 is shaping up to be a significant year for Tom Waits' discography, with several major reissues and the release of previously unreleased material. These archival projects are keeping the "new album" conversation alive and providing fresh content for fans.

The *Mule Variations* 25th Anniversary and "Get Behind The Mule"

The year marks the 25th anniversary of the Grammy-winning album *Mule Variations* (1999), a pivotal record that marked Waits' move to ANTI- Records and solidified his experimental blues sound. To celebrate, a previously unreleased live version of the track "Get Behind The Mule" was shared, offering a glimpse into his powerful live performances from that era.

Furthermore, a special Record Store Day 2025 release titled *Get Behind The Mule: Spiritual* has been slated for April 12, 2025. This release, likely featuring more unreleased tracks or alternative takes, continues the trend of mining his vast archives. The original *Mule Variations* is lauded for its raw, "surrural" sound, blending Delta blues with industrial-tinged instrumentation.

The 50th Anniversary of *Nighthawks at the Diner*

October 2025 will mark the 50th anniversary of the classic 1975 album, *Nighthawks at the Diner*. This album, which was recorded live in a studio with a small audience, perfectly captured Waits' early persona as a beatnik-era troubadour, blending spoken-word poetry with jazz and folk arrangements.

Rumors also point to a limited edition 50th-anniversary vinyl release of his 1974 album, *Saturday Night*, further cementing 2025 as a year dedicated to his legacy. These reissues, particularly from his early period with Asylum Records and his experimental shift with Island Records (the *Swordfish/Rain Dogs/Franks Wild Years* trilogy), are essential for understanding the foundations of his current, unique style.

What Will the Next Tom Waits Album Sound Like?

The speculation about the sound of his next studio album is as diverse as his discography itself. Waits has never been one to repeat himself, consistently shifting his musical identity across different eras:

  • The Early Years (1970s): Characterized by jazz, folk, and piano-based ballads (*Closing Time*, *Nighthawks at the Diner*).
  • The Island Years (1980s): The experimental, avant-garde phase, heavily influenced by Captain Beefheart and Kurt Weill, featuring unconventional instrumentation and a harsher vocal delivery (*Swordfishtrombones*, *Rain Dogs*).
  • The ANTI- Years (1990s-2010s): A blend of his experimental tendencies with a return to raw, primal blues and folk, often co-produced by Kathleen Brennan (*Mule Variations*, *Real Gone*, *Bad as Me*).

Given the 14-year gap since *Bad as Me*, a new album is likely to be a culmination of these styles. It could lean into the more stripped-down, acoustic folk songwriting hinted at by his agent's news, or it could be a return to the industrial, noise-rock experimentation of albums like *Bone Machine* (1992). The use of unique instruments, often homemade or unconventional, is a hallmark of his sound, and fans expect nothing less than a completely unique sonic experience. His influences, ranging from Howlin' Wolf and Skip Spence to Thelonious Monk, suggest that the foundations will remain rooted in the history of American music, filtered through his singular, poetic lens.

Ultimately, the news that Tom Waits is "writing songs again" is the strongest indication yet that a new album is on the horizon. While the wait continues, the 2025 anniversary releases are a perfect way to revisit the genius of one of music's greatest living poets, ensuring his legacy remains vital and current.

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