Nine-time GRAMMY® AWARD winner and 2023 Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee Sheryl Crow has announced that she will release her 12th studio album Pick You Up on October 9, 2026. Featuring seven new songs, the album was written by Crow and long-time collaborator Jeff Trott and will be released via Old Green Barn Productions LLC.
Coinciding with today’s announcement, Crow has also released the first single from the album, ‘Freedom Bus’ featuring Jesse Welles. The track offers listeners a first glimpse at the album, highlighting the timeless songwriting, unmistakable vocals, and storytelling prowess that continue to define Crow’s artistry.
About ‘Freedom Bus,’ Crow said, “I do not take freedom lightly because our freedom has been paid for in the lives of others throughout history and that is something I wish we could all remember when we are interacting with each other. Our dialogue and ability to disagree must reflect what has been paid for in the blood, sweat, and tears of those who fought for every man and woman to be created equal and to enjoy the rights that our constitution has allowed each of us.”
‘Freedom Bus’ lays the foundation for the album, reflecting on the freedoms we have and asking how we can connect peacefully and thrive despite our differences and the political challenges we face. It encourages thoughtful use of those freedoms, reminding us that our words should build understanding rather than become weapons.
The forthcoming album delves into personal reflection while returning to the AAA/Rock/Singer-Songwriter/Americana sound that made so many people fall in love with Sheryl in the ‘90s. Exploring themes of hope and unity, the album showcases the honest songwriting and authenticity that have shaped Crow’s career.
“Each of these songs are a commentary on being human and wanting connection,” Crow said. “There is a lot of chaos all around us and I definitely find myself feeling alone. My wish is that whoever hears these songs feels the hope I feel when I sing them! I hope these songs feel like a soothing moisturizer on our chapped hearts. We are all going through so much in our humanity right now that being awake can feel like trudging through a burning desert. But we are never alone. And there is beauty everywhere. We just have to keep our eyes open.”
The Pick You Up album artwork features ‘The Elephant Who Forgot The Ocean’ by acclaimed artist Tyson Grumm, whose surreal, imaginative paintings create a nostalgic world where each image tells a story that is only partially told, allowing viewers to bring their own perspective to complete the work. A longtime collector of Grumm’s work, Crow first discovered his paintings nearly 20 years ago and has long been drawn to their sense of wonder, playfulness and underlying melancholy. When she recently saw ‘The Elephant Who Forgot The Ocean’ at an auction, she knew it was the image she wanted for Pick You Up. She reached out to Grumm, who agreed to let her use the piece as the album artwork, and she ultimately purchased the original, which now hangs in her home.
To celebrate the album announcement, Crow will perform on Good Morning America on August 28th.
