Martin Luke Brown has announced his third solo album life & death etc, set for release on 18 September 2026 via Bright Antenna Records. The announcement comes alongside new single dream state and details of a UK, Ireland and European tour this autumn, including a Dublin show at Whelan’s on 4 December.
The album continues Brown’s focus on themes of everyday experience, set against ideas of loss, joy and emotional transition. Across its tracks, it explores small, often overlooked moments that shape personal life, from fleeting conversations to uncertain nights and shifting relationships.
New single dream state moves through a blurred mix of memory, escape and emotional fatigue. The track carries an indie-soul sound with loose rhythms, layered guitars and hazy production. It follows earlier single back of my mind, which introduced a blend of country-leaning tones, lo-fi textures and melodic hooks.
Brown has described dream state as a reflection on avoidance and emotional pressure. In the context of the album, it marks a turning point where reflection replaces denial and the mood begins to shift towards clarity and release. The song is paired with a video filmed in Los Angeles, featuring palm-lined streets, beaches and sunset imagery that mirrors its themes of drifting and uncertainty.
life & death etc follows Brown’s departure from the major label system and a return to close collaboration with longtime creative partner Matt Zara, known for work with artists including Teddy Swims, Niall Horan, Olivia Dean and Lola Young. The project has been developed through a stripped-back approach focused on instinct and informal studio sessions.
Musically, the album expands on Brown’s indie-soul base, adding elements of psych-influenced production, country touches and 1960s and 1970s-inspired arrangements. The songwriting moves between heavier reflection and lighter moments, combining personal detail with more abstract, philosophical ideas.
Alongside the album release, Brown will tour across the UK, Ireland and Europe from November 2026. The run begins in Utrecht on 11 November and continues through cities including Rotterdam, Cologne, Berlin, Brussels and Paris before heading to the UK. British dates include Bristol, Leicester, Manchester and Glasgow, with a London show at Scala on 2 December and a Dublin performance at Whelan’s on 4 December.
life & death etc will be released on 18 September 2026.