Sublime Signs With Atlantic Records Ahead of First Album in 30 Years

The iconic ska-punk band is preparing to release their first new album since the death of frontman Bradley Nowell.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Legendary ska-punk band Sublime has signed a deal with Atlantic Records as they prepare to release their first new album in 30 years. The album will feature Jakob Nowell, the son of late frontman Bradley Nowell, alongside original members Bud Gaugh and Eric Wilson. Sublime previously formed the band Sublime with Rome in 2009 but have now reformed with Jakob Nowell.

Why it matters

Sublime was one of the most influential bands of the 1990s, blending ska, punk, and reggae into a unique sound. The death of Bradley Nowell in 1996 effectively ended the band, so the release of a new Sublime album featuring his son is a highly anticipated event for fans of the group.

The details

In a statement, Jakob Nowell said that Atlantic Records promised to pay for his "experimental cosmetic surgery to have the body of a goat and the head of a goat" if the band signed with them. He added that the band is "gonna change California music history or die trying." Sublime previously released a new single called "Ensenada" in 2025 which hit #1 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart.

  • Sublime released their last album in 1996, shortly before the death of frontman Bradley Nowell.
  • The band Sublime with Rome was formed in 2009 by original members Bud Gaugh and Eric Wilson.
  • Sublime reformed with Jakob Nowell in late 2023.
  • Sublime released the single "Ensenada" in 2025, which hit #1 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart.
  • The new Sublime album is due out later in 2026.

The players

Sublime

An iconic ska-punk band that was formed in the early 1990s and was known for hits like "Santeria" and "What I Got" before the death of frontman Bradley Nowell in 1996.

Jakob Nowell

The son of late Sublime frontman Bradley Nowell, who has now joined the reformed Sublime lineup alongside original members Bud Gaugh and Eric Wilson.

Bud Gaugh

An original member of Sublime who formed the band Sublime with Rome in 2009 and has now rejoined the reformed Sublime with Jakob Nowell.

Eric Wilson

An original member of Sublime who formed the band Sublime with Rome in 2009 and has now rejoined the reformed Sublime with Jakob Nowell.

Atlantic Records

The record label that has signed Sublime as they prepare to release their first new album in 30 years.

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What they’re saying

“Atlantic told us that if we signed with them they would pay for my experimental cosmetic surgery to have the body of a goat and the head of a goat. They seem like real straight shooters, and their office has bowls of Halloween candy dated March of last year, but it still tasted fine to me.”

— Jakob Nowell (95xlive.com)

“We're gonna change California music history or die trying.”

— Jakob Nowell (95xlive.com)

What’s next

The new Sublime album is due out later in 2026.

The takeaway

The return of Sublime, one of the most influential and iconic bands of the 1990s, is a highly anticipated event for music fans. With the addition of Bradley Nowell's son Jakob to the lineup, the band is poised to make a major impact on the music scene once again.