Prog Twitter has been frothing at the mouth this week after someone uttered the sacred words: “new King Crimson album.”
But before you dig out the cape and time signature flashcards, the band’s manager would like everyone to take a deep breath.
It all kicked off when Jakko Jakszyk — guitarist, vocalist, and proud caretaker of Robert Fripp’s trust — casually told Goldmine Magazine that “as we speak, we’re doing a King Crimson studio album.” Cue the internet losing its collective mind like it was 1974 again.
But now David Singleton, Crimson’s longtime manager and resident vibe-checker, has stepped in to pour some Fripp-approved cold water over it all.
“Yes, recordings have taken place,” he confirmed in a social post. “But whether it is an album, whether it sees the light of day, whether it is something else is unknown.” In other words: don’t start pre-ordering on crimsonking.biz just yet.
Singleton also quoted the late Bill Rieflin, who once asked, “Why make a studio album? There are excellent live recordings of all the songs out there already.” Fair point — Crimson’s live archive is so vast it could qualify for UNESCO protection.
Still, Singleton teased the “seed” of something fresh: three drummers have recorded parts “with perfect separation,” which sounds like prog code for “this might melt your brain if it ever drops.” But again, carts, horses, etc.
If anything’s happening, it won’t be fast either. Singleton says the band is still building a studio. King Crimson doesn’t rush. I mean, they warped time in 9/8 back in ’73, they’re not about to drop a surprise album on a Thursday night in 2025.
So yes, the machinery may be humming. But until Fripp pokes his head out and declares a new album real, we wait. With respect. With caution.
And with one eye on the moon in case the Mellotron makes a sound.
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