ALBUM REVIEW: Iron & Wine – Hen’s Teeth

Sub Pop

Released: 27.02.26

Image: Kim Black

Iron & Wine is a name chosen for its duality, and it’s the solo project of Sam Beam, whose music shares this same duality. Light, dark, every shade in between… they’re all on show in his brand new eighth album. Hen’s Teeth is a collection of ten multitudinous tracks; two of them featuring Grammy-winning Americana trio I’m With Her, and many including singing from Sam Beam’s daughter, Arden.

There’s something gently euphoric about the new record – it’s far from devoid of melancholy, but it’s something you might put on when driving all day on a big, beautiful country road, pondering the meaning of life (in a nice way) and forgetting that it’s 2026. Just me? Described as a sort of ‘sibling album’ to the previous (Grammy-nominated) Iron & Wine record Light Verse, a repeat nomination wouldn’t surprise me one bit. Indie folk for both big stages and quiet corners. Sonic bliss!