Singer-songwriter and psych-poet Gus Englehorn returns with a new single and video, “Better Watch Your Step,” the latest preview from his upcoming album The Broken Balladeer, due for release on 27 February 2026.
A jangly rock earworm with bright, playful hooks, “Better Watch Your Step” carries a subtle sense of caution beneath its infectious surface. The track continues to unfold the sonic world of The Broken Balladeer, following first single “Pepperina.”
A Surreal Visual World with Estée Preda
The accompanying video, directed and filmed by long-time collaborator Estée Preda, mirrors the song’s playful tension through surreal, whimsical imagery. Shot using 16mm and 8mm film at varied frame rates, the visuals accentuate the contrast between verse and chorus while maintaining an intimate, DIY spirit.
Speaking about the creative approach, Preda explains:
“We like letting limitations guide the direction, and this time space played a central role. Shooting the video at home pushed us to think small, which led to stop-motion as a cost and space-efficient way to work within that scale.”
The Broken Balladeer: A Powerful Creative Reunion
With The Broken Balladeer, Gus Englehorn reunites with Paul Leary, founding member of Butthole Surfers, following their acclaimed collaboration on The Hornbook. This time, Leary steps fully into the role of producer, while also contributing artwork for the album cover.
The record also features contributions from industry heavyweights including Stuart Sullivan (Sublime, Meat Puppets, Willie Nelson), Howie Weinberg (Nirvana, Beastie Boys, Smashing Pumpkins) and Kramer (Daniel Johnston, Ween, Galaxy 500).
Recorded in Austin, Texas in March 2025, the album was completed at remarkable speed. As Preda recalls:
“We recorded The Broken Balladeer in six days. We tracked all the songs live the very first day, except for the piano ballad. The record turned out to have a very real and unified sound.”
Tour Dates & Live Shows
To celebrate the album release, Gus Englehorn will perform two album launch shows presented by Mothland in Montréal and Québec City, appear at SXSW, and headline a run of European dates before joining Holy F**k as support on an 18-date North American tour this spring.
European Tour Dates
- Mar 20 – Leipzig, Germany – Noch Besser Leben
- Mar 26 – Tübingen, Germany – Blauer Salon
- Mar 27 – Mannheim, Germany – Altes Volksbad
- Apr 1 – Hamburg, Germany – Hafenklang
- Apr 2 – Rotterdam, Netherlands – V11
Tickets are available now.
The Broken Balladeer – Tracklist
- Hounds Are Out
- Better Watch Your Step
- Horse Hair Purse
- Suburban Garden Of Eden
- Rattler’s Hum
- Pepperina
- Drown It Out
- In The Gorge
- How Many
- Sound Of Syrup
- Sea Shore
- The Broken Balladeer
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