EELS Announce New Album COOKIE HAPPENED
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EELS Announce New Album COOKIE HAPPENED
Few bands have managed to build a catalogue as distinctive and consistently compelling as EELS. Since emerging in the mid-1990s, the project led by Mark Oliver-Everett, known to fans simply as E, has blended alternative rock, introspective songwriting and dark humour into a body of work that remains uniquely its own.
Now, EELS have announced their 16th studio album, COOKIE HAPPENED, available to pre-order on Chalkys.com
The new record follows 2024's acclaimed EELS TIME! and promises another collection of thoughtful, heartfelt songs from a songwriter who has spent nearly three decades exploring the joys, frustrations and mysteries of everyday life.
A New Chapter for EELS
While many artists struggle to maintain momentum deep into their careers, EELS continue to evolve without losing the qualities that made them special in the first place.
According to Everett, COOKIE HAPPENED reflects on life's small victories, inevitable disappointments and the simple wonder of having existed at all. The album appears to embrace the themes of reflection and acceptance that have become increasingly prominent in EELS' recent work.
The title itself carries a surprisingly profound message.
Explaining the inspiration behind COOKIE HAPPENED, Everett referenced the famous Cookie Monster quote: "Me no cry because cookie is finished. Me smile because cookie happened."
The sentiment captures the spirit of appreciating life's experiences, even when they are temporary. It is a philosophy that feels particularly fitting for an artist whose work has so often explored loss, resilience and gratitude.
The COOKIE HAPPENED Tracklist
The album will feature twelve tracks:
- CLOBBERED
- CAP IN HAND
- ALL FORGOTTEN
- BAMBOOZLED AGAIN
- LOST AND BARKING
- TAKING PICTURES
- NEW STORY
- CONGRATULATIONS TO ME
- ONE RAZZLE, ONE DAZZLE
- I'M ON STANDBY
- DUM DUMS
- THE WAY I WAS MADE
Even from the track names alone, fans can spot the mixture of wit, vulnerability and self-reflection that has defined the EELS catalogue for years.
One of Alternative Rock's Great Survivors
Since the release of their breakthrough debut album Beautiful Freak in 1996, EELS have carved out a unique place in alternative music.
Classic albums such as Electro-Shock Blues, Daisies of the Galaxy, Souljacker and Blinking Lights and Other Revelationshelped establish Everett as one of the most distinctive songwriters of his generation. His ability to balance sadness with humour and hardship with hope has given EELS a lasting appeal that transcends trends.
Away from music, Everett is also the author of the acclaimed memoir Things the Grandchildren Should Know and was the subject of the documentary Parallel Worlds, Parallel Lives, which explored his relationship with his father, the pioneering physicist Hugh Everett III.
Those experiences have helped shape a songwriting voice that remains deeply personal while speaking to universal emotions.
Looking Ahead to October
With sixteen studio albums to their name, EELS have already secured their place as one of alternative rock's most respected acts. Yet COOKIE HAPPENED feels less like a victory lap and more like another meaningful chapter in an ongoing creative journey.
For long-time fans, the album offers the promise of more of what EELS do best. Honest songwriting, memorable melodies and reflections on life delivered with warmth, wisdom and a touch of eccentricity.
COOKIE HAPPENED is released on 16 October and will be available on CD and vinyl.
FAQ
When is the new EELS album released?
COOKIE HAPPENED will be released on 16 October.
How many tracks are on COOKIE HAPPENED?
The album contains 12 tracks.
Who is the lead singer of EELS?
EELS is led by singer, songwriter and producer Mark Oliver Everett, also known as E.
What was the previous EELS album?
The band's previous studio album was EELS TIME!, released in 2024.
What was EELS' first album?
EELS released their debut album, Beautiful Freak, in 1996.