Win Butler confirms he's been working on a new Arcade Fire album

Over the past couple of weeks, Butler has been sharing short clips of new music on his Instagram before deleting it.

Fans were speculating over the possibility of it being new Arcade Fire material, and yesterday (13 April), Butler confirmed on his Instagram that they have been working on a new album.

The new material will follow on from 2017's Everything Now.

Butler shares his posts that were written on the eve of his 40th birthday. He writes, "Regine and I have been writing for the last couple of years, and the band was a few months into recording new material when COVID-19 hit…We had been exploring a lot of lyrical and musical themes that feel almost eerily related to what is happening now (we actually have a song called "Age of Anxiety" written a year ago for Christ’s sake - ha ha ). Needless to say, the writing has intensified, and the work is flowing out... It is challenging as ever, and with just as much purpose."

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Post 2/3 @arcadefire Regine and I have been writing for the last couple of years, and the band was a few months into recording new material when COVID-19 hit…We had been exploring a lot of lyrical and musical themes that feel almost eerily related to what is happening now (we actually have a song called Age of Anxiety written a year ago for Christ’s sake - ha ha ). Needless to say, the writing has intensified, and the work is flowing out... It is challenging as ever, and with just as much purpose. Though this crisis may ultimately change or destroy aspects of the music industry, I believe it will only strengthen music as an art form. It has never felt more essential, spiritual and irreplaceable...a church that lives in the air between the source and your ears... I just want you to know, dear reader, that you aren’t forgotten. The world is experiencing incredible suffering and uncertainty. I already know people who have been sick and died, and hope that you and those you love have been spared.

A post shared by Win Butler (@djwindows98) on Apr 13, 2020 at 6:57pm PDT

In his third and final post, Butler adds, "For my part, I’m pouring my heart, soul and all of my precious time into the music and recording. (Not closing the door on doing some online performances, but it feels like many artists have that covered;) But talk to me in August when we are all climbing the walls...consider that a song request Radiohead) When you listen to the music that’s coming (...eventually...not soon…if you don’t have patience by now, you definitely aren’t reading this), you will know what we were working on under quarantine."

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Post 3/3 @arcadefire For my part, I’m pouring my heart, soul and all of my precious time into the music and recording. (Not closing the door on doing some online performances, but it feels like many artists have that covered;) But talk to me in August when we are all climbing the walls...consider that a song request Radiohead ) 
When you listen to the music that’s coming (...eventually...not soon…if you don’t have patience by now, you definitely aren’t reading this), you will know what we were working on under quarantine.

Sending love and light! Take care of yourselves, friends, family and neighborhood. 
With unending love and respect,

Your pal, Win P.S. my fucking hands hurt, don’t remember how I used to do this

A post shared by Win Butler (@djwindows98) on Apr 13, 2020 at 7:00pm PDT