Brandi Carlile has announced an expanded edition of her 2025 album Returning To Myself near its one-year anniversary with a sad or happy twist. As a preview of the new edition, Carlile put out “Human (Sad Gay Version).”
Album Details
<p(Returning To Myself (Sad Gay Version) is scheduled for digital release September 25 through Interscope Records and Lost Highway Records. The new edition will feature all songs from the first pressing plus “sad gay” versions that are “intimate reimagined versions” of every track, a press release said. Carlile returned to Long Pond Studio to co-produce four tracks with Aaron Dessner. The digital edition exclusively will feature a new cover of Billy Joel’s “And So It Goes.” An autographed rainbow-colored vinyl edition is also being put out with the “sad gay” versions of the song. To get this vinyl edition fans have to pre-order by October 1st. Fans can pre-order the vinyl and pre-save the digital edition here.
Background and Inspirations
“When I was a teenager, I loved to toy with my own emotions by actively seeking out songs in a genre that very few are willing to call by its rightful name. The ‘Sad Gay’ genre,” Carlile said in the press release. “You don’t have to actually be gay to let it break your heart into a thousand pieces, it will do that against your will.” In this “Sad Gay” genre, Carlile listed “Everybody Hurts” by R.E.M., “Language or the Kiss” by the Indigo Girls, “This Woman’s Work” by Kate Bush, and others as well as the soundtracks for the films Philadelphia and City of Angels.
“I would do this just to feel myself spiral into pure emotional self-indulgence in ways only music like this could permit, making me a very sad gay,” she said. “I reimagined this album in this way because I want to be brought back to the edge of my bed again and I want to bring you with me. I rebuilt the whole thing for you and for myself. This one is for us… the sad gays wherever you are.”
Music and Collaborations
“Human (Sad Gay Version)” features composer and electronic musician Jon Hopkins, who has worked with Brian Eno and Coldplay. The reimagining of the originally electrified song molds the tune into a tender piano ballad that builds until it’s reaching for the sky.
Upcoming Tour and Releases
Returning to Myself originally came out October 24th, 2025. Carlile kicked off the second leg of her North American tour Thursday evening. Fans can look for tickets via Vivid Seats, where they can save $20 on their first order of $200 or more with promo code CONSEQUENCE20 at checkout.
In other Carlile news, her supergroup The Highwomen put out a surprise release in May.
Tracklists and Tour Dates
The digital edition of Returning To Myself (Sad Gay Version) will feature 21 tracks, including the new cover of “And So It Goes.” The vinyl edition will feature 10 tracks. Carlile has also announced her 2026 tour dates, which include stops in the US, UK, and Europe.
Brandi Carlile 2026 Tour Dates: 08/13 – Portland, ME @ Cross Insurance Arena +, 08/14 – Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena +, 08/16 – Bethel, NY @ Bethel Woods Center for the Arts +, and many more. + = w/ Jensen McRae, # = w/ I’m With Her, ^ = w/ Gregory Alan Isakov, § = w/ The Head and The Heart, || = w/ Stephen Wilson Jr., ** = w/ CMAT, †† = w/ KT Tunstall.
In conclusion, Brandi Carlile is set to release an expanded edition of her album Returning To Myself, featuring intimate reimagined versions of every track. With a new digital edition, vinyl release, and upcoming tour dates, fans have a lot to look forward to from this talented artist.
Pixel P. Snarkbyte, widely regarded as the “Shakespeare of Sh*tposts,” is a video game expert with a unique knack for turning pixels into punchlines.
Born in the small town of Respawn, Pennsylvania, Pixel grew up mashing buttons on an ancient NES controller, firmly believing that “blowing into the cartridge” was a sacred ritual passed down through generations.
Pixel P. Snarkbyte: proving that life, much like a buggy open-world game, is better with a little lag-induced chaos.
