Melissa Etheridge New Album 'Rise' Released March 2026

Melissa Etheridge Drops 'Rise': New Album Features Chris Stapleton Duet

The Grammy-winning rocker returns with her first studio album in five years, co-produced by Shooter Jennings and focused on themes of hope.

Marcus J. Delany

Mar 26, 2026, 8:26 PM PT · 1 min read

Melissa Etheridge in Columbus — Photo: Tina Lawson / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

THE RUNDOWN

Released 'Rise' on March 27, 2026, her first studio album in five years.
Features 11 new tracks co-produced by Melissa Etheridge and Shooter Jennings.
Includes a high-profile duet with country music star Chris Stapleton.
The album explores themes of resilience and hope after personal challenges.
A 2026 concert tour will support the new album release.

Rock icon Melissa Etheridge has officially released her latest studio effort, Rise, today, March 27, 2026. This 11-track collection marks her first full-length studio release in five years. Etheridge teamed up with Grammy-winning producer Shooter Jennings to craft a sound that balances her signature grit with deeply personal narratives of healing.

One of the most anticipated moments on the album is a powerhouse duet with country superstar Chris Stapleton. Etheridge spoke about the project’s emotional weight, telling EnidLIVE! that the record focuses on "rising up after devastation." She emphasized that despite the heavy themes, the overall message of the album remains "very hopeful."

To support the release, Etheridge is hitting the road for an extensive 2026 tour, according to Pollstar News. The tour will showcase the new material alongside the hits that defined her decades-long career. Rise is now available on all major streaming platforms and physical formats via her longtime distribution partners.