After having just released her project “Perverts” early January of 2025, alternative singer Ethel Cain announced a new album and tour for the autumn season.
Hayden Anhedönia, known famously as Ethel Cain, has risen in popularity since her freshman album “Preacher’s Daughter,” which has gained traction in the general media since its release in May of 2022. “Preacher’s Daughter” is a concept album whose story follows the traumatic life experiences of character Ethel Cain, born to the cultish practices of her pastor father and religious community. Prior to the hit release, however, Anhedönia released the “Carpet Bed” and “Golden Age” as extended plays (EP) in 2019 and the “Inbred” EP in 2021. These EPs gave birth to popular songs like “Knuckle Velvet” and “Crush,” both of which have a fairly digestible genre despite their disheartening messages, much like her hit song “American Teenager,” which disguises the tribulations of religion and alcoholism with a pop-like beat.
Unlike these media-approved wonders, Anhedönia project “Perverts,” released Jan. 8, is an immersive storytelling experience that is almost entirely made up of lengthy drone songs, with the track “Pulldrone” lasting an entire 15 minutes. Unlike the slow and melodic tracks “Punish” and “Vacillator,” the rest of the project was not largely favored or consumed by the general public or the majority of her fandom, the Daughters of Cain, due to the unpopular genre.
However, those who enjoyed Anhedönia’s previous work in “Preacher’s Daughter” were quite satisfied with the announcement of a new album only two months after the release of “Perverts.” Anhedönia began teasing the new tour mid-March, posting the message “this was all for you” on her Instagram page and having various intimate venues display that same message on their buildings as well. She officially announced March 24 that her project would be an album titled “Willougby Tucker, I Will Always Love You,” as well as releasing the “Willoughby Tucker Forever” tour dates for autumn in North America and Europe. This title holds special relevance toward fans who engage in the lore from her freshman album, as it pays homage to the track “A House In Nebraska,” which details Ethel Cain’s heartbreak in losing the love of her life Willoughby Tucker. Because the song’s lyrics are largely unclarified, the Daughters of Cain anticipate the reveal and, hopefully, in-depth explanation about Cain’s and Tucker’s relationship. Additionally, Anhedönia confirmed the addition of her popular unreleased songs “Dust Bowl” and a 20-minute version of “Waco, Texas” to the upcoming album.
The album is set to release this August of 2025 and, while a specific day has not been confirmed, the “Willoughby Tucker Forever” tour will kick off Aug. 12 in Seattle, Wash. The new announcement has been widely-received, and the Daughters of Cain can’t wait for autumn to arrive.
