Australian roots-rock icon John Butler is set to make a bold international return with his brand-new solo album PRISM, arriving on 5th September via Because Music. The record marks a pivotal moment in Butler’s career—his first full-length release since moving away from the John Butler Trio banner. Alongside the announcement, Butler has dropped the album’s soaring lead single, So Sorry, and confirmed a string of UK tour dates this autumn.
John Butler
Known for his passionate activism, electrifying live shows, and genre-blending sound, Butler has long stood as a pioneer in independent music. From his breakout 2003 release Sunrise Over Sea—the first independently released album to top the Australian charts—to commanding performances at Glastonbury, Coachella, and Red Rocks, Butler’s influence is as wide-reaching as his musical palette.
With PRISM, the 50-year-old returns to his roots as a one-man sonic force, channeling the spirit of his early busking days. Crafted entirely in collaboration with producer James Ireland (POND), the record blends Butler’s signature percussive guitar style with a bold, full-band aesthetic. Butler and Ireland handled all instrumentation themselves, resulting in an album that feels both deeply personal and musically expansive.
“PRISM is a cathartic release,” Butler shares. “A celebration of going solo, moving away from the Trio moniker, and another sonic stretch in my musical journey. The title reflects the emotional and sonic bandwidth I wanted to explore—love, death, politics, inner and outer turmoil, and redemption.”
The newly released single So Sorry offers a raw reflection on the emotional complexities of long-term relationships. “We end up saying and doing things we live to regret,” Butler explains. “You get together as ‘kids’ and if you’re lucky, you learn how to regulate and become adults together. But no one gets out unscathed.”
Across PRISM, Butler leans into the full spectrum of human experience—heartache, hope, confrontation, and joy—all wrapped in a soundscape built for both festival stages and introspective moments. From the honky-tonk swagger of previous single Trippin On You to thunderous anthems and stripped-back ballads, PRISM reflects a musician still evolving, still reaching.
This album is also the third instalment in Butler’s ambitious four-season project. Following the ambient instrumental journey Running River and the introspective Still Searching, PRISM delivers a fiery chapter in an ongoing story, with a final album set for 2026.
Fans in the UK won’t have to wait long to see Butler live. This October and November, he returns for a highly anticipated tour, backed by a new lineup that includes original JBT drummer Michael Barker, percussionist Michael Boase, and bassist/keyboardist Ian Peres. Expect explosive performances, plenty of surprises, and the return of one of Australia’s most enduring musical voices—refreshed, recharged, and ready to roar.
UK Tour Dates:
OCTOBER
30th – Royal Showgrounds, Cornwall
31st – Bristol Academy, Bristol
NOVEMBER
1st – Troxy, London
3rd – O2 Ritz, Manchester
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