Kicking My Feet & Screaming is the third studio album by Australian singer-songwriter Ruel, released on 12 June 2026 through Recess Records and Giant Music. It is a "sequel" to his second studio album, Kicking My Feet (2025). released on 12 June 2026 through Recess Records and Giant Music. The album will be supported with the European Kicking & Screaming Tour through October 2026.
Background In October 2025, Ruel released his second studio album Kicking My Feet. In March 2026, he announced its sequel, titled Kicking My Feet & Screaming, is scheduled for release on 12 June 2026. Ruel said "Soooo my new album Kicking & Screaming (Kicking My Feet pt. 2) is dropping June 12. 10 brand new songs from my heart to yours! 2 albums in 8 months". On streaming services, the first ten tracks are new, followed by tracks on the standard edition of Kicking My Feet. The new tracks, co-produced by Joel Little, Julian Bunetta, Kenny Beats, Dan Wilson, among others, have been described by Van Dijk as a continuation of his second studio album.
Promotion
Singles "Don't Say That" was released as the lead single from the album on 20 March 2026, coinciding with the album announcement. The song was previewed during Van Dijk's December 2025 performance at the Sydney Opera House.
"Hate Myself" was released on 24 April 2026. According to Scene Mag it "captures what it feels like to love someone who is bad for you and choosing to stay until you start resenting yourself more than them".
"Debbie Don't Cry" was released on 22 May 2026. Ruel said the song "began almost accidentally during a late-night writing session that started 'kind of as a joke' before quickly turning into a favourite." Deb Pelser from Backseat Mafia said of the single, "Even at its most melodic, 'Debbie Don't Cry' feels unsettled, caught somewhere between reassurance and regret."
"Faking Smiles" was released on 12 June 2026 and examines the contradictions between the masks we wear. Ruel explores the realness of heartache compounded by the emotional toll of gritted teeth and empty smiles Upon release, Ruel said, "The song has definitely lived a lot of lives. It started off as just a simple guitar ballad but after we sped it up by about 30bpm it evolved into a sort of retro The Cure throwback, paying homage to the sounds of the 80s."
Track listing Credits are adapted from Tidal.
Notes indicates a producer and vocal producer indicates a co-producer indicates a vocal producer
Personnel Credits are adapted from Tidal. Musicians
Ruel – vocals (all tracks), background vocals (tracks 6, 11, 14, 15), guitar (7, 12), theremin (8), piano (19) Kenneth Blume – drums (1, 5); bass, guitar (1, 16); percussion (8) Sean Douglas – background vocals (2), piano (6) Anthony Cappeto – bass (2, 10) Jonah Cuddy – guitar (2) Alex Lamb – keyboards (2) John Ryan – guitar (3, 5, 11, 13, 15), keyboards (3, 11, 15), bass (5, 11, 13, 15); piano, programming, synthesizer (3); background vocals, drums, percussion (11, 13, 15) Julian Bunetta – bass (3, 9, 14), programming (3, 9), drums (3, 14), synthesizer (3); guitar, keyboards (9, 14); percussion (14) Lucy Healey – keyboards, piano, programming (3) Mark Schick – bass, guitar, keyboards (4, 7); piano (4), programming (7), drums (14) Pablo Bowman – drums (4) M-Phazes – drum programming (6), synthesizer (17), background vocals (20) Elias Danielsen – guitar (6, 20); background vocals, bass (20) Joel Little – bass, drum programming, guitar, synthesizer (6) Sam de Jong – drums (6) Rob Moose – violin, viola (6) Dan Wilson – piano (8, 12), bass (8, 19); string ensemble, synthesizer, Wurlitzer (8); guitar (12, 16, 19), drums (12) Joe Avio – guitar (8, 19) Aaron Sterling – drums (8) Stevie Blacke – string ensemble (8) Ammo – programming (9); drums, guitar (14) Nick Lamb – piano (10, 17), synthesizer (17) Josh Shpak – horn (10) Matt Zara – background vocals, bass, drums, guitar, keyboards, percussion (11, 15) Leroy Clampitt – acoustic guitar, bass, electric guitar (12) John Carroll Kirby – Rhodes piano (12) Max Bassin – drums (16) William James Watson – background vocals, bass, drums, guitar (18) Sara Mulford – piano, synthesizer (19) Quincy Bunn – drums (20) Taka Perry – bass, guitar, synthesizer (21) Theodore Lee – keyboards (21)
Technical
Kenneth Blume – engineering (1, 5) M-Phazes – engineering (2) Jeff Gunnell – engineering (3, 5, 11, 13, 15) Julian Bunetta – engineering (3, 9) John Ryan – engineering (3) Mark Schick – engineering (4, 7), mastering (4) Joel Little – engineering (6) Mark Rankin – engineering (6) Rob Moose – engineering (6) Sara Mulford – engineering (8, 16) Aaron Sterling – engineering (8) Dan Wilson – engineering (8) Joe Avio – engineering (8) Ammo – engineering (9) M-Phazes – engineering (17) Garrett Duncan – engineering assistance (6) Alex Ghenea – mixing (1–20) Taka Perry – mixing (21) Nathan Dantzler – mastering (1–3, 5–21) Harrison Tate – mastering assistance (14)
Charts + Chart performance for Kicking My Feet & Screaming Chart (2026) Peakposition Australian Albums (ARIA) 25 New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) 24
Release history + Kicking My Feet & Screaming release history Region Date Format(s) Label Catalogue Various 12 June 2026 REC02CD
References