It’s been nearly a decade since Conor Oberst’s beloved Bright Eyes project released new music, their eighth studio album The People’s Key. Today they’re back for the first time in years, releasing a new song called “Persona Non Grata.” The timing is perfect, with 2020 being the 20th anniversary of Fevers and Mirrors and the 15th anniversary of the expansive double-release Digital Ash in a Digital Urn and I’m Wide Awake It’s Morning.

The return of the band, which features Mike Mogis and Nathaniel Walcott in addition to Oberst, had been teased earlier this year.

Now Bright Eyes is signed with Dead Oceans, with a new album on the way.

The timing of this announcement is unique, in that it’s occuring during a massive national emergency in which little new music is being announced. The band left fans a note, sharing their love and solidarity for anyone who is alone, isolated and frightened. The band says like all of us, they had big plans for 2020 and say they’re releasing a new album “no matter what.” They’ll also be hitting the road at some point, which they say they’re reassessing, as all touring and live performing has been shuttered due to the coronavirus quarantine.