Lita Ford, the iconic ’80s rock guitarist and singer known for her blistering riffs and commanding stage presence, says she’s hoping to finally release her long-awaited new studio album by May 2026, giving fans a full-length record they can feel and experience from start to finish.
In a recent interview with Get On The Bus, Ford discussed the challenges and inspiration behind the follow-up to her 2012 solo album Living Like a Runaway, which was produced by guitarist Gary Hoey, who also contributes guitar work to the new project. Despite years of industry shifts and logistical snags, Ford said the upcoming LP has a cohesive theme and identity — one built on the classic idea of an album as a full artistic statement rather than just a collection of singles.
“I don’t get caught up in the ways of the world,” Ford explained, referencing changes in music consumption like streaming and its impact on traditional album format. “The project we’re working on now — hopefully out by May of 2026 — it’s a theme. The whole album is a theme. There are great songs on it, and it’s, like, well, you could listen to this song or you could listen to this song, just like any album.” She noted that classic records — from Van Halen to Deep Purple — inspired her approach: albums meant to be played straight through, unified in sound and purpose.
Ford’s record is described as dark, fairytale-like in concept — something she previously compared to the narrative whimsy of Shrek, with emotional depth and larger-than-life characters woven throughout the songs. During earlier discussions about the project, she said those elements give the album a cinematic feel and a story that threads from beginning to end.
Like many artists who have taken their time between releases, Ford acknowledged both the difficulties and the artistic rewards in making a complete record in the modern era. Her focus, she says, has always been on doing it right — with substance, personality, and authenticity — rather than rushing just to put new music out.
For longtime fans of her high-octane guitar work and powerful songwriting, 2026 promises not only a new Lita Ford record but a full-length artistic statement that bridges classic album values with modern rock sensibilities — something few have tried to do with her level of experience and drive.
