New Audio: Tricky Returns with Brooding and Atmospheric “Because I Don’t Know”

Trip hop pioneer Tricky will be releasing his 15th studio album, Different When It’s Silent July 17, 2026 through his own label, False Idols. The new album is the first full-length effort from the legendary and influential artist and producer under his own name in six years. 

Different When It’s Silent came about during a rather prolific period of activity. Since 2020’s Fall to Pieces, Tricky has released material under several different guises including, Lonely Guest‘s 2021 self-titled effort, a collaboration with Mike Theis, called Theis Thaws, which released 2024’s Fifteen Days and last year’s collaborative album with Marta Złakowska, Out The Way. 

Returning to releasing an album under his own name took on a different shape. Recored between Tricky’s home in France and sessions in Bristol, the album is reportedly a direct, focused batch of material that reconnects with the distinct sonic language that has defined the legendary artist and producer’s work since 1995’s iconic Maxinquaye. And he does by drawing deeply on the musical community that has shaped him and his work. Central to the album’s sound is Bristol-based vocalist Mitch Sanders, whose soulful falsetto is featured through such of the album’s songs. Their deep connection reflects a shared musical background and an instinctive chemistry between the pair. 

“In my mind it was another side project” Tricky explains. But after hearing the material, his manager Alan McGee felt the songs clearly belonged to a Tricky record.

The 14-song Different When It’s Silent sonically sees Tricky blending skeletal blues, brooding electronics, distorted guitars and stark hip-hop rhythms into a sound that’s simultaneously stripped-back and expansive. The album moves fluidly across different styles while rooted in the restless experimentation that has long defined Tricky’s work over the past three-plus decades. 

“I just love making music” Tricky says. “I’m grateful I’ve had the chance to live this life and keep creating.”

The album will include the previously released “Out of Place,” feat. Marta Złakowska and the album’s second and latest single, “Because I Don’t Know.” Featuring Bristol-based vocalist Mitch Sanders’ yearning falsetto delivering the haunting refrain “Can you feel my pain? Do you feel the same? Just let me know” over a pulsing and shadowy synth figure and blasts of scorching guitars. Tricky’s murmured vocal lurk in the background. The song is a tense, uneasy and probing examination of vulnerability, heartache and menace.

The trip hop pioneer is currently in the middle of an extensive international tour. The tour includes an October 11, 2026 stop at Brooklyn Steel. Check out the tour dates below.

May 

23rd – Bydgoszcz, Poland – Drums Fusion Festival

24th – Brussels, Belgium – Ancienne Belgique

25th – Paris, France – Trianon

26th – Lyon, France  – Radiant

28th – Antwerp, Belgium – De Roma 

29th – Nijmegen, The Netherlands – Doornroosje

30th – Maastricht, The Netherlands – Muziekgieterij

June

1st – Den Haag, The Netherlands – Paard

3rd – Groningen, The Netherlands – De Oosterpoort

4th – Berlin, Germany – Huxleys

5th – Warsaw, Poland – Progresja

7th – Prague, Czechia – Meet Factory

8th – Vienna, Austria – Wuk

9th – Budapest, Hungary – A38 Ship

11th – Bucharest, Romania – Quantic Pub

12th – Sofia, Bulgaria – FOMO the club

13th – Zagreb, Croatia – Boogaloo

14th – Zurich, Switzerland – Kaufleuten

16th – Bern, Switzerland – Bierhübeli

18th – Hamburg, Germany – Mojo Club

20th – Copenhagen, Denmark – Vega

24th – Cologne, Germany – Kantine

26th – Malmö, Sweden – Slagthuset

27th – Uppsala, Sweden – Parksnäckan

28th – Gothenburg, Sweden – Filmstudion

July

4th – Amarante, Portugal – Mimo Festival

9th – Milan, Italy – Triennale (Palace Of Art)

August

23rd – Brecon Beacons, UK – Green Man Festival

29th – Bristol, UK – Forwards Festival

September 

2nd – Vilnius, Lithuania – Kably’s

3rd – Riga, Latvia – Spelet Concert Hall

4th – Narva, Estonia – Station Narva Festival

16th – Detroit, MI – El Club

20th – Dallas, TX – Trees
21st – Austin, TX – Mohawk
23rd – Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom
24th – Los Angeles, CA – The Bellwether
28th – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom
29th – Vancouver, B.C – Hollywood Theatre
30th – Seattle,WA – Neumos

October
2nd – Salt Lake City, UT – Commonwealth
4th – Denver, CO – Bluebird Theater
6th – Minneapolis, MN – FIne Line
8th – Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall
9th – Montreal, QC – Le Studio TD
11th – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Steel
12th – Cambridge, MA – The Sinclair
13th – Washington, D.C – Lincoln Theatre
15th – Atlanta, GA.- The Loft at Center Stage

16th – 17th – Miami, FL – III Points Festival

__

The Joy of Violent Movement is a completely independent and completely D.I.Y. media outlet. Over the course of this site’s 15+ year history, I’ve used my fiercely independent stance to cover music with an eclectic and global perspective that a lot of other publications just don’t have — and will likely never have. 

To that end, I could use your support to continue to keep bringing you my unique global perspective on music. There are a number of ways that you can support this work. 

I’ve been told that some people would prefer to make a one-time donation because it’s easy and less of an obligation. So, if you’re able to make a one-time donation, there’s a donation box below.

If you can give more regularly, please feel free to check out my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheJoyofViolentMovement. 

Anything you can give is very much appreciated. It can and does make a real difference, y’all. 

I know that a lot of folks are struggling to make ends meet in an uncertain and tumultuous economic climate. So there are other, non-financial ways in which you can support this work. 

You can follow me on the following social platforms:

X/Twitter: @yankee32879 and @joyofviolent 

Instagram: @william_ruben_helms

Threads: @william_ruben_helms

Bluesky: @williamrubenhelms.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheJoyofViolentMovement

As always, if there are posts that you dig, share them with your friends. The more eyeballs on my work, the better.