The Temper Trap Announce First Album in a Decade, ‘Sungazer’

The Temper Trap scored millennial youth throughout the 2010s with soaring hits like “Sweet Disposition” and “Love Lost.” Now, they’re back with their first album in a decade and long-awaited fourth record, Sungazer, arriving July 10, Rolling Stone can exclusively reveal.

Following the release of Thick as Thieves in 2018 and a tour that took them across the globe, the band stepped away from the spotlight. Lead singer Dougy Mandagi packed up and moved to Berlin, surrounding himself in the city’s groundbreaking electronic music culture before relocating to Indonesia, his home country. Meanwhile, drummer Toby Dundas opened a recording studio and composed original music for films; bassist Jonathon Aherne released a solo project from America; and guitarist Joseph Greer pursued his passion in teaching.

According to a press release, the Temper Trap “tentatively” headed back into the studio following their four-year hiatus from touring and writing. The group collaborated across continents, sending demos to each other and reuniting in Melbourne for studio sessions.

“With time apart and much personal growth from us all, Sungazer feels like it’s captured the most pure collection of music we’ve ever made,” the band said in a statement. “We had more fun making this record and in the writing room than on any of the previous records we’ve done. We’re in a great place creatively and in our friendships, we’re closer than ever. Being back into the studio together really felt like coming home.”

The album announcement arrives just days after the band announced it will support Muse during their tour in North America this summer and the Temper Trap’s appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! to perform their single “Giving Up Air.”

The band has previewed Sungazer with additional singles “Into The Wild” and “Lucky Dimes,” and will also be releasing the title track Wednesday evening. Mandagi describes “Sungazer” as a heartfelt tribute to his son. “Sungazer is a song I wrote as a declaration to my little boy Ziggy before he was born,” said the singer. “The lyrics are a promise to him, to be with him throughout his life.”