Neko Case Unveils Fearless New Album 'Neon Grey Midnight Green'

GRAMMY-nominated iconoclast Neko Case has released her highly anticipated new album, 'Neon Grey Midnight Green', on September 26, 2025, via ANTI- Records . This record marks Case’s return to studio albums after a seven-year hiatus since 2018’s 'Hell-On', a work lauded for its “pitch-perfect roar of female defiance” by The Guardian . 'Neon Grey Midnight Green' is her first album to be entirely self-produced, a creative milestone signifying both her artistic evolution and her commitment to centering marginalized voices in the music industry.

The album was primarily recorded at Case’s Vermont studio, Carnassial Sound, with additional sessions in Denver and Portland, embracing a live band setup and organic soundscape. The final mix deliberately preserves the intimacy of performance, including subtle elements like breaths and shirt-sleeve rustlings, as a testament to the humanity behind the music .

Case, who identifies as gender fluid and uses she/her pronouns, has been forthright about the significance of her role as producer for this album: “There are so few producers who are women, nonbinary, or trans. People don’t think of us as an option. I’m proud to say I produced this record. It is my vision. It is my veto power. It is my taste” . Her statement reflects a broader challenge in the music industry, where trans, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming creators remain underrepresented. For LGBTQ+ communities, Case’s visibility and leadership are deeply meaningful—her work models the possibility of creative authority for those whose voices are too often marginalized.

The album’s themes are equally resonant. Listeners will find Case grappling with the complexities of human nature, perseverance, and beauty, as well as the natural world—subjects she has explored with poetic urgency throughout her career. 'Neon Grey Midnight Green' also stands as a tribute to musicians, producers, and activists who have passed away in recent years, many of whom Case counted as friends and artistic influences .

Pitchfork described the album as “blossoming with awe,” noting its windswept arrangements and contagious melodies, where “baritone guitar, violin swells, and steady percussion crumple up feelings of dread and anxiety” . The sprawling highlight “Rusty Mountain” anchors the record’s emotional core, with Case declaring: “We all deserve better than some love song”—a lyric that speaks to the universality of longing and the importance of authentic connection, themes that resonate powerfully with LGBTQ+ listeners seeking representation and affirmation in music.

Case’s storytelling remains distinctive, often assuming perspectives beyond her own lived experience. Her willingness to embody a tornado or a magpie, for instance, signals a boundless empathy and imagination that invites all listeners—especially those who have felt “othered”—to find themselves reflected in her songs .

To celebrate the release, Case partnered with Record Store Day for album launch events at over 100 independent record stores across North America this weekend . These gatherings serve as both musical celebrations and affirmations of local community, with LGBTQ+ fans and allies joining together to honor Case’s work.

Her North American tour begins with a sold-out show at Woodstock’s Levon Helm Studios on October 1, and continues to landmark venues including Massey Hall in Toronto, the Beacon Theatre in New York City, and The Bellwether in Los Angeles. The tour’s reach and sold-out dates underscore Case’s enduring influence and the anticipation surrounding her latest release .

With more than twenty-five years of fearless songwriting, Neko Case has built a legacy of confronting cruelty, championing perseverance, and illuminating the terrifying beauty of the world. Her memoir, 'The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You', released earlier this year, reached #5 on the New York Times nonfiction bestseller list, further cementing her role as a cultural touchstone for LGBTQ+ communities and beyond . The Washington Post praised its vibrant wordplay and humor, noting it “hits you in the same places her songs do: heart and gut, funny bone and sad bone”—a reflection of Case’s capacity to create art that is both deeply personal and widely accessible.

Case’s journey—from growing up “by two dogs and a space heater” in Washington state to performing on international stages—has always been marked by a refusal to compromise her vision. Each album has expanded the possibilities of genre, identity, and storytelling, and 'Neon Grey Midnight Green' continues that tradition with renewed urgency and depth .

For LGBTQ+ listeners, Case’s latest album is more than a collection of songs—it is a statement of what is possible when artists are empowered to shape their own narratives. Her advocacy for producers and musicians who are women, nonbinary, or trans opens doors for future generations, and her music continues to offer solace, inspiration, and visibility to those who need it most .

As Case embarks on a new chapter with 'Neon Grey Midnight Green', her work remains a vital force for inclusivity and artistic freedom—a beacon for LGBTQ+ communities and for anyone who seeks truth and beauty in music.