Ethel Cain announces sophomore album, major tour
Willoughby Tucker, I'll Always Love You will serve as a prequel to Cain's 2022 debut, Preacher’s Daughter.
Album art: Silken Weinberg/Hayden Anhedönia
Even Ethel Cain can’t resist the allure of a good origin story. The experimental indie artist just announced her sophomore album, Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You, which, per a press release, will serve as a prequel to her standout 2022 debut, Preacher’s Daughter.
Hardcore fans likely picked up on the fact that Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You will be a concept album similar to Preacher’s Daughter just from its title. Willoughby Tucker was already a figure in the prior record, serving as the main character’s first love. (If you want to hear a bit more about how their relationship turned out, check out the yearning “A House In Nebraska.”) Since this album takes place entirely before the prior song cycle, it’s safe to assume that at least some of its tracks will adopt the brighter, poppier tone of early-album hit “American Teenager,” placed before Preacher’s Daughter unravels into more metal-inspired sound and fury. This is Cain we’re talking about, though, so you never really know what you’re going to get.
Case in point: some fans may be confused about the artist classifying Willoughby Tucker as her sophomore album. Cain did release a separate drone music project, Perverts, earlier this year, but that was technically an EP despite its near-90-minute runtime.
The songs on Willoughby Tucker will likely be a bit more accessible than Perverts‘ wordless horror, because Cain is taking them on a massive international tour. The Willoughby Tucker Forever tour kicks off August 12 in Seattle and travels around both the U.S. and the world before wrapping up in Lisbon, Portugal November 9. Presales begin March 26 at 10 a.m. local time with general on sale beginning March 28 at 10 a.m. local time. You can find more info about ticket sales on Cain’s website.
Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You releases August 2025. Check out the full tour schedule below:
August 12—Paramount Theatre—Seattle, WA
August 13—Paramount Theatre—Seattle, WA
August 15—Queen Elizabeth Theatre—Vancouver, BC
August 16—Edgefield—Portland, OR
