All-American Rejects Announce First Album in Over a Decade

The iconic emo-pop band will release "Sandbox" on May 15, 2026, their first full-length record since 2012's "Kids in the Street".

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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After more than 10 years since their last album, the All-American Rejects have announced the release of their new record "Sandbox" on May 15, 2026. The band, formed in Stillwater, Oklahoma in 1999, rose to fame in the 2000s with hits like "Swing, Swing," "Dirty Little Secret," and "Gives You Hell." The group will also embark on a European and UK tour called "Recess" starting in June 2026, their first time back in the UK in over a decade.

Why it matters

The return of the All-American Rejects, one of the defining emo-pop bands of the 2000s, is highly anticipated by their devoted fanbase who have been waiting over 10 years for new music. The band's ability to craft catchy, emotionally resonant songs that connected with a wide audience cemented their status as one of the most successful alternative rock acts of the era.

The details

The All-American Rejects will release their new album "Sandbox" on May 15, 2026, their first full-length record since 2012's "Kids in the Street." Two singles, "Easy Come, Easy Go" and "Get This," have already been released ahead of the album. The band, consisting of Tyson Ritter and Nick Wheeler, formed in Stillwater, Oklahoma in 1999 and rose to fame in the 2000s with hits like "Swing, Swing," "Dirty Little Secret," and "Gives You Hell."

  • The All-American Rejects formed in Stillwater, Oklahoma in 1999.
  • The band's debut single "Swing, Swing" was released in 2002.
  • Their album "Move Along" was released in 2005, featuring hits like "Dirty Little Secret" and "It Ends Tonight."
  • "Gives You Hell" was released in 2008 and reached #1 on the Billboard charts in 2009.
  • The band's last album "Kids in the Street" was released in 2012.
  • The new album "Sandbox" will be released on May 15, 2026.
  • The band's European and UK tour "Recess" will kick off on June 9, 2026 in Warsaw, Poland.

The players

Tyson Ritter

The lead singer and co-founder of the All-American Rejects, formed the band in Stillwater, Oklahoma in 1999.

Nick Wheeler

The co-founder and guitarist of the All-American Rejects, formed the band with Tyson Ritter in Stillwater, Oklahoma in 1999.

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What they’re saying

“People don't really want a new All-American Rejects record. People want their time capsule and want to jump into it and feel like they smell CK One and it makes them feel young. But the question I pose is, 'What if we can say something now? What if we can actually resonate?'”

— Tyson Ritter, Frontman (Paper Mag)

What’s next

Tickets for the band's European and UK "Recess" tour go on sale on February 13, 2026 at 10 a.m. BST through Ticketmaster.

The takeaway

The return of the All-American Rejects, one of the most beloved emo-pop acts of the 2000s, is an exciting moment for their devoted fanbase who have eagerly awaited new music from the band. Their ability to craft catchy, emotionally resonant songs that connected with a wide audience cemented their status as one of the most successful alternative rock acts of the era, and their upcoming album and tour will give fans a chance to revisit that nostalgic sound.