Published: May 15, 2026
The British hard rock pioneers unveil the first single from their upcoming studio album arriving in July 2026 through earMUSIC
Deep Purple have released the new single and official video “Arrogant Boy”, marking the first musical preview from the band’s upcoming studio album “SPLAT!”, scheduled for release on July 3, 2026 through earMUSIC.
The fast-paced hard rock track arrives shortly after the announcement of the album itself and continues the long-running collaboration between the band and producer Bob Ezrin, whose recent work with Deep Purple includes “NOW What?!” (2013), “inFinite” (2017), “Whoosh!” (2020), and “=1” (2024).
Rockum previously covered the new album through Deep Purple Announce 'SPLAT!' and Reveal Details of New Studio Album, as well as the band’s recent activity in Japan in Deep Purple Meet Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi Ahead of 'Mad In Japan' Tour Launch and the historical feature Deep Purple, Joe Lynn Turner and Ritchie Blackmore: The Elegant Power of Slaves and Masters.
The official video for “Arrogant Boy” was presented as a live performance clip and premiered on YouTube on May 12.
According to vocalist Ian Gillan, the lyrics revolve around a character named Billy, who challenges authority and intentionally provokes the elite despite his inability to read or write. Gillan described the act of irritating powerful figures as “a joyous exercise.”
German publication Classic Rock Germany, which currently features Deep Purple on its cover, compared the song’s energy to classic tracks such as “Space Truckin’” and “Highway Star”, while emphasizing that the new material avoids simply replicating the band’s earlier work.
At the conceptual center of “SPLAT!” is an idea originally developed by Ian Gillan, who envisioned the album not as a traditional apocalyptic narrative but as a meditation on transformation beyond physical existence.
The album continues the current Deep Purple lineup featuring:
Ian Gillan
Roger Glover
Ian Paice
Don Airey
Simon McBride
The release additionally extends one of the most productive late-career periods in the band’s history, following several internationally successful studio albums released during the Bob Ezrin era.
TRACKLIST — ‘SPLAT!’
SIDE A
“Arrogant Boy”
“Diablo”
“The Rider”
“The Lunatic”
SIDE B
“The Only Horse In Town”
“Sacred Land”
“The Beating Of Wings”
SIDE C
“Guilt Trippin'”
“Scriblin' Gib'rish”
“Jessica's Bra”
SIDE D
“Third Call”
“My New Movie”
“Splat!”
FORMATS
Limited Box Set including:
2LP Gatefold (180g)
12-page vinyl-sized booklet
CD Digisleeve
Three exclusive 10-inch live vinyl records from the 2024 tour
Exclusive 7-inch single featuring the bonus track “GUINNESIS”
Additional formats include:
CD Digisleeve
2LP Gatefold (black, 180g)
Limited Purple 2LP Gatefold
Limited Transparent Yellow 2LP
Limited 2LP Picture Disc
Limited Cassette
Limited signed canvas restricted to 199 copies worldwide.
TOURING
After recently completing shows across Asia, Deep Purple will continue touring throughout Europe during summer 2026 before launching the “SPLAT!” World Tour in North America during August.
The current touring schedule reportedly includes 86 shows across 28 countries, including arena dates in Europe and performances in South America later in the year.
Formed in 1968, Deep Purple remain one of the foundational bands in hard rock history, helping define the genre through landmark albums including “Machine Head”, “Burn”, and the influential live recording “Made in Japan”.
Across multiple eras and lineup changes, the band have sold more than 120 million albums worldwide and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.
More than half a century after helping establish the foundations of hard rock, Deep Purple continue balancing legacy and reinvention through new studio material that still connects directly to the energy, musicianship, and spontaneity that defined the band’s classic era.
Watch the official video for “Arrogant Boy” below.
