The Flower Kings Announce 18th Studio Album ‘Hope,’ Share First Single “In A World Of Fools”

Aug 14, 2026

After more than three decades of pushing the boundaries of progressive rock, The Flower Kings return with a new album, Hope, due out October 23, 2026 on InsideOutMusic. The follow-up to 2025’s Love stands as both a celebration of the band’s legacy and a bold artistic statement, and it finds the group returning to the side-long epic, with tracks clocking in at 18 and 28 minutes. To mark the announcement, the band has shared a video for the first single, “In A World Of Fools.”

Rather than chasing trends or revisiting past glories, the band has crafted a work that comfortably exists between refined musicianship and fearless ambition. Founding member Roine Stolt explains:

“At a certain point in life – you arrive at a place where outside opinions matter less – and the process gravitates towards making an album that YOU yourself would LOVE but would perhaps normally not be viewed as a commercial attempt at all. We, the band – trust YOU, the audience – to be curious and to trust us that we want to bring you a grand glowing adventure.”
– Roine Stolt

Hope serves as a timely meditation on a turbulent moment in the modern world. Without venturing into overt political commentary, its songs reflect on an era marked by division and diminishing empathy, ultimately offering a message rooted in hope and a roadmap for re-igniting love in our hearts and our society. The album’s compositions come from Stolt and keyboardist Lalle Larsson, with its centerpiece the nearly 30-minute epic “The Gods of Rome.” Originally conceived from orchestral ideas developed more than a decade ago, the piece nearly became the foundation for another Anderson & Stolt project before finding its true home with The Flower Kings, reimagined for the full band as a powerful reflection on power, conflict, and the human cost of ambition.

Joining Stolt and Larsson once again are Hans Fröberg on vocals, Michael Stolt on bass, and Mirko DeMaio on drums, supported by heartfelt performances from every member of the band along with a number of special guests. Stolt adds:

“Like I said 37 years ago – ‘This is the band I will be in for the rest of my days’ – but I wouldn’t dream of us making one of our finest albums ever in 2026!”
– Roine Stolt

Hope will be available as a Limited CD + Blu-Ray Digipak, featuring Dolby Atmos and 5.1 Surround Sound mixes by Rich Mouser — a first for the band — as well as a Standard CD Jewelcase, Gatefold 2LP, and digitally.

Pre-order / stream Hope: https://theflowerkings.lnk.to/HOPE-Album