COPENHAGEN, Denmark (Aug 2026) — A heartbreaking promise to a dying friend is the emotional core of the new Lukas Graham studio album “Good Times,” which is out now via Virgin Music Group. The 13-track collection marks a return to the Celtic and folk storytelling traditions that the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter grew up with, moving away from standard pop production to deliver a deeply reflective musical journey.
The story behind the music
The focus track “Before You Go” carries a heavy, deeply personal history. Lukas Graham wrote the intimate track in 2019 for his longtime friend Thomas, who spent their nearly two-decade friendship battling a chronic illness. When Thomas faced a major brain surgery that could have taken away his sense of taste, the duo traveled together to Korea and Japan so Thomas could experience his dream culinary and travel destinations.
Lukas Graham held onto the resulting song for years, promising to share it only when his friend felt the time was right. Thomas eventually asked him to perform it at his funeral, making the track a powerful live tribute before it ever reached a studio album.
Returning to childhood roots
The musical foundation of “Good Times” draws heavily from the upbringing of Lukas Graham in Christiania, a free-spirited Copenhagen community. His late father Eugene, a Donegal-born music lover who booked folk musicians throughout Scandinavia, introduced him to the communal sounds that define this record.
To capture this specific heritage, the album was recorded in Nashville and New York with a rolling collective of musicians, many of whom shared personal ties with his father. The lineup features traditional acoustic instrumentation, including Michael McGoldrick on the uilleann pipe and Irish flute, Sam Grisman on bass, Tim O’Brien on mandolin, Stuart Duncan on fiddle, and Brian Sutton on guitar.
Hitting the stadium circuit
Pinoy fans tracking the global music scene will remember the artist for his 2015 breakout hit “7 Years,” which earned three Grammy nominations and placed him in the Spotify Billions Club. He has since built a multi-platinum international career spanning four albums, including hits like “Love Someone,” which is certified platinum in 18 countries.
This new material is currently hitting massive stages as Lukas Graham joins Ed Sheeran as a special guest on select North American dates of the 2026 Loop Tour. The stadium tour kicked off at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn., on Aug. 15, 2026, and will hit major venues across Toronto, Canada; East Rutherford, N.J.; and Atlanta, Ga.
The new album also features the previously released title track “Good Times,” the acoustic track “To Know A Girl,” and “Second Chance.” Pinoy listeners can now stream the full album on all major digital platforms.
