Hippies, Thugs & Heroes

Richard Thompson will return October 16th, 2026, with "Hippies, Thugs & Heroes", his 20th studio album and 1st since 2024’s widely acclaimed "Ship To Shore". Released via New West Records, the 12 song collection was produced by Thompson alongside James Frazee and recorded in Weehawken, New Jersey.

As its title suggests, "Hippies, Thugs & Heroes" embraces a colorful cast of characters and refuses to stay confined to a single musical lane. Across its 12 tracks, Thompson shifts effortlessly between moods and styles while introducing listeners to old friends, con artists, musicians, dream figures, and reflections of his younger self. Together, these stories form an album that is adventurous yet cohesive, highlighting Thompson’s enduring gifts for vivid storytelling and expressive musicianship.

“You look over the body of songs you’ve written and ask yourself, ‘Which ones are kindred spirits'?”, Thompson explains. “You look for commonality among the songs, and it’s also a joy when you realize that certain songs seem to be brothers and sisters”.

Alongside the announcement, Thompson has unveiled the album’s 1st single, “Cocaine Walking, Booze Talking”, a gritty portrait of hustlers and drifters navigating London’s streets. The song introduces an eclectic lineup of characters, including a carousel queen, a Shakespeare quoting soldier, a King’s Road hippie, and a Sauchiehall thug, while showcasing Thompson’s trademark guitar work.

Richard Thompson’s "Hippies, Thugs & Heroes" will be available across digital platforms, compact disc, and standard black vinyl. A limited clear with black splatter color vinyl edition with an autographed insert as well as a limited compact disc edition autographed by Richard Thompson will be available at independent retailers. A limited pink marbled color vinyl edition including a bonus flexi disc featuring a demo recording of “Cocaine Walking, Booze Talking”, and an autographed insert will be available via Rough Trade. A limited yellow with black splatter color vinyl edition including an autographed insert, as well as a limited and autographed compact disc edition is available for pre-order now via New West Records.