Thundercat has announced his fifth studio album, Distracted, arriving April 3 via Brainfeeder Records. The release marks his first full-length project in six years, landing exactly on the anniversary of his previous album and signaling a return shaped by reflection, humor, and restlessness.
Distracted features a wide-ranging group of collaborators, including a previously unreleased appearance from Mac Miller, alongside contributions from Lil Yachty, WILLOW, A$AP Rocky, Tame Impala, and Channel Tres.
The album was primarily created in close collaboration with producer Greg Kurstin, with additional production from Flying Lotus, Kenny Beats, and The Lemon Twigs. The result is a record that moves between looseness and precision without forcing either.
Alongside the announcement, Thundercat has shared the album’s lead single, “I Did This To Myself,” featuring Lil Yachty. Built around a conversational groove and dry self-awareness, the track leans into modern frustration, social imbalance, and the quiet acceptance that sometimes the mess is self-inflicted.
The themes running through Distracted sit between overstimulation and introspection. Rather than condemning the present moment, Thundercat examines it with curiosity, addressing how distraction can derail focus while also offering escape. The album does not chase urgency. It allows space for humor, uncertainty, and drift.
That tension is reflected across the tracklist. WILLOW appears on “ThunderWave,” Channel Tres brings momentum to “This Thing We Call Love,” and A$AP Rocky adds contrast on “Funny Friends.” Even with a large cast of collaborators, the album remains centered on Thundercat’s voice and perspective.
The album artwork was shot by photographer Neil Krug, whose visual style mirrors the album’s mix of scale and unease. The presentation reinforces the record’s core idea: clarity does not always come from focus alone.
Distracted arrives after a period that has seen Thundercat expand his presence across music, film, and live performance, including collaborations with Gorillaz, Silk Sonic, and appearances in “Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett.” Still, the goal here remains simple. Make something honest. Let it breathe.
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