Peter Frampton Announces New Album 'Carry the Light'

Official Announcement | Published: Mar 17, 2026 2:29 PM EDT

(UMe) Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy Award-winning guitarist Peter Frampton will release Carry the Light, his first album of all-new rock material in 16 years, on May 15 via UMe. Co-written and produced with his son Julian Frampton, the collection features guest appearances from Sheryl Crow, Bill Evans, H.E.R., Tom Morello, Graham Nash and Benmont Tench.

"The Carry the Light album is the first new music from me in 16 years. It was one of my most enjoyable projects ever. I got to work with my son Julian-writing and producing together. A first of many for us I'm sure," Frampton said.

In advance of the album, Frampton has shared the new track "Buried Treasure," featuring keyboardist Benmont Tench of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers-listen here. A tribute to the late Tom Petty, the track honors the SiriusXM radio show of the same name that Petty curated and hosted for 15 years, with lyrics crafted entirely from Petty's song titles. Frampton personally sought out Tench to add his signature style to the Petty homage.

For Frampton, Carry the Light is a reflection of the present, rooted in the challenges, changes and connections that have defined recent years. The title itself is a statement of purpose; to Frampton, the light represents wisdom, something to be carried forward. At its core, the album is a deeply personal document, one that Frampton credits in large part to the experience of making it alongside his son. "This may be the best album Peter's ever made," said engineer and co-producer Chuck Ainlay (Mark Knopfler, Miranda Lambert, George Strait). "The songs are just so poignant, and his voice has matured in a way that really delivers what he's trying to get across.'"

Frampton is surrounded on Carry The Light by an all-star supporting cast: Sheryl Crow is Frampton's vocal foil on "Breaking the Mold," Bill Evans adds saxophone to both "Can You Take Me There" and "Tinderbox," H.E.R. trades guitar lines on the instrumental "Islamorada," Tom Morello brings his signature intensity to the protest song "Lions at the Gate," Graham Nash lends harmonies to "I'm Sorry Elle," Benmont Tench contributes keyboards to "Buried Treasure." Everyone asked to participate in Carry the Light gladly heeded the call to lend their support and create new material with an artist who's been dispersing endless goodwill and great music across the globe for more than six decades and counting.

Carry The Light will be released in a variety of formats, including CD, 180-gram yellow vinyl and digitally in stereo, hi-res audio and immersive Dolby Atmos options. A special limited-edition vinyl, which will feature a premium cover treatment and be numbered, will be available exclusively via Peter Frampton's official store, uDiscover Music and Sound of Vinyl.