Guided by Voices Releases 44th Album 'Crawlspace of the Pantheon' Amid Breakup Rumors

Jacqueline Burt CoteFri, February 27, 2026 at 3:11 AM UTC

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(Photo by Matt Carmichael on Getty Images)

Fans were devastated when the beloved indie rock band Guided by Voices broke up in 2004, especially because singer-songwriter Robert Pollard seemed against the idea of ever reuniting. Thankfully, though, the group's classic lineup did indeed get back together in 2010 — and they've been incredibly prolific ever since.

Even so, there have been rumbles lately about GBV quitting again, as Brooklyn Vegan reported...but the band's latest news seems to fly in the face of those rumors. Not only did they announce the release of their 44th studio album, Crawlspace of the Pantheon (due out May 29 on Guided By Voices Inc Records), but they also dropped the first single from the record: “We Outlast Them All."

“The entire song, the music, and melody was written all the way through in one take,” Pollard told Rolling Stone. “Could be our ‘We Are the Champions,’ but it’s not necessarily about us. It could be about any couple or group of people or organization that perseveres over a long period of time. If it is referring to us, it’s actually somewhat self-deprecating as the goal is simply to ‘seek to occupy the crawlspace of the pantheon.’”

Though GBV's members live all over the country, Crawlspace of the Pantheon was recorded in-studio (like their last album, Thick, Rich, and Delicious).

“I just felt that using that approach yielded a pretty good record,” Pollard explained, adding, “I think the performances were very tight and energetic so I thought we should go for it again — albeit a slightly more serious tone.”

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Pollard went on to say that he worked "diligently on this set of lyrics."

“I chiseled away at lines and sections to make sure the phrasings were totally acceptable. I wanted them to have an overall emotionally conceptual feel. At times it feels somewhat autobiographical, especially a few specific songs. ‘Lost in the Sun’ I think is about being out on the road, maybe out West. ‘Out With a Theory’ is almost the ballad of the history of Guided by Voices. Namely the early- to mid-period lineups.”

According to Pollard, "everyone in the band turned in top-rate performances, which they pretty much always do. The album was fun, I enjoy it, and now it’s on to the next one. Without over analyzing, that’s pretty much the process and always has been.”

Whatever GBV's process includes, the formula is clearly still working. As for a tour, no announcement has been made yet...but fans are definitely hopeful.

Related: Indie Rock Legend, 58, Covers 1978 Classic for the First Time Ever

This story was originally published by Parade on Feb 27, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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