After years without new material, A Perfect Circle have officially returned with “Starless,” a brand-new single marking the next chapter for the band led by Billy Howerdel and Maynard James Keenan.
The release arrives just days before the group launches its first European and U.K. tour in eight years, a run that will also serve as the lead-up to their highly anticipated return to Latin America alongside Puscifer later in 2026.
Musically, “Starless” feels unmistakably like classic A Perfect Circle. The song moves between delicate atmospheric passages and massive guitar-driven explosions anchored by Keenan’s unmistakable vocal delivery.
The track was recorded at Howerdel’s personal studio, Lankershim Ranch Studio, in California. According to the guitarist, the song came together unusually fast compared to the band’s typical writing process.
“Some songs get kicked around and massaged for years,” Howerdel explained. “But once in a while, one takes shape quickly, as if it had been there all along.”
The single was produced by Howerdel and mixed by Matty Green, known for his work with U2, Florence + The Machine and TV On The Radio. The song also features longtime collaborator Josh Freese on drums.
Meanwhile, Maynard James Keenan said he was especially excited about performing the song live during the upcoming European dates. “I’m absolutely chuffed to debut this new track on stage in the U.K.,” the vocalist explained. “Of course I’m excited to release the recordings but our songs always take on an expanded personality once we start playing them live.”
“Starless” is also being released as a limited-edition 7-inch vinyl through Revolver, featuring special variants and an etched version of the band’s iconic crescent moon logo.
Alongside the new single, the band also confirmed a massive international tour across Europe during June and July with appearances at festivals including Rock Am Ring, Hellfest, Copenhell, Mad Cool Festival, Rock Werchter and NOS Alive.
Later this year, A Perfect Circle will also return to Latin America with Puscifer for a limited run of dates scheduled for November 2026. Among those dates is the band’s long-awaited return to Mexico on November 25 at Estadio Fray Nano in Mexico City, followed by performances in Buenos Aires and Santiago, Chile. The tour will additionally include dates across Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Hawaii, marking the return of one of alternative rock’s most influential projects.
Since forming in 1999, A Perfect Circle built a unique identity through landmark albums such as Mer de Noms, Thirteenth Step and Eat The Elephant, combining melancholy, massive atmospheres and precision-driven songwriting.
While both Maynard James Keenan and Billy Howerdel have remained busy with projects like Tool, Puscifer and Howerdel’s solo work, “Starless” makes it clear that A Perfect Circle still has plenty left to say.
