Icelandic rock sensation KALEO has officially announced their highly anticipated third studio album, MIXED EMOTIONS, set for release on May 9 via Atlantic Records. Produced by GRAMMY Award-winner Eddie Spear (Zach Bryan, Sierra Ferrell) and co-produced by frontman JJ Julius Son alongside GRAMMY winner Shawn Everett (The Killers, Kacey Musgraves), MIXED EMOTIONS is poised to be KALEO’s most ambitious project yet. The album delves into deep and timely themes such as gun violence and personal resilience, reflecting the band’s evolution and commitment to meaningful storytelling.
Coinciding with the album drop, KALEO has also announced a massive 2025 US tour, including a highly anticipated headline show at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre and a festival performance at Napa Valley’s BottleRock.
According to JJ Julius Son, MIXED EMOTIONS is an exploration of life’s emotional highs and lows, both mentally and musically. “I don’t like to confine myself to a single genre, and this album gave me the freedom to explore different sonic landscapes. There’s something for everyone on this record,” says JJ.
The first single, Back Door, is a blues-infused, gritty rock track that highlights JJ’s signature raw vocals. Back Door has been a fan favorite during live performances for years, and its official release has been eagerly awaited. “It’s always had an incredible reception when we play it live, so we’re thrilled to finally share it with the world,” KALEO states.
The recording process for MIXED EMOTIONS began in March 2023 at Blackbird Studio in Nashville and continued across multiple sessions in Los Angeles, all while the band maintained a relentless touring schedule. Producer Eddie Spear reflects, “JJ pushed himself to the limit to perfect the vocal performances and arrangements. The energy and dedication the band put into this album is astounding, and I’m honored to have played a part in bringing these songs to life.”
With over 4 billion global streams, 60+ international gold, platinum, and diamond certifications, and sold-out concerts worldwide, KALEO has cemented their place as one of today’s most exciting rock acts. Their breakout album A/B propelled them to stardom, with the hit single Way Down We Go amassing over 1.3 billion streams and becoming a viral sensation. Their Fight or Flight World Tour saw them performing in 92 cities across 22 countries, while their 2024 Payback Tour featured sold-out performances at Red Rocks and Wembley Arena.
Looking ahead, KALEO is set to embark on a major 2025 tour, bringing their electrifying live show to Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, and South America before returning to North America. MIXED EMOTIONS is available for pre-order now, and fans can expect an unforgettable experience when the album drops on May 9.
Tour Dates:
May 9 Fri – Aspen, CO – Belly Up
May 10 Sat – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks
May 13 Tue – Des Moines, IA – Val Air Ballroom
May 15 Thu – Oklahoma City, OK – Jones Assembly
May 17 Sat – Tulsa, Ok – Cain’s Ballroom
May 19 Mon – Albuquerque, NM – Revel
May 20 Tue – Tempe. AZ – Marquee Theatre
May 22 Thu – Anaheim, CA – House of Blues
May 24 Sat – Napa, CA – BottleRock Festival
