Courtney Barnett Unveils New Songs “Mantis” and “Sugar Plum”: Stream

Courtney Barnett has shared the new songs “Mantis” and “Sugar Plum,” the latest offerings from her upcoming album Creature of Habit.

“Mantis” is a more introspective cut from Barnett, who sings patiently and passionately over a winding electric guitar and the steady wash of a ride cymbal. She laments her habits, routines, and insecurities as her guitar shifts back and forth through a two-chord groove, landing on a flurry of existential observations. “Praying mantis on my door, looking for meaning or just any sign at all,” Barnett sings in the chorus, later emphasizing the futility she feels when writing music with the line “And there’s no such thing as a perfect melody/ But I keep searching every morning in the trees.”

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“Sugar Plum,” on the other hand, echoes the existential themes of “Mantis” but takes on a much sunnier disposition. “Sugar Plum” seems to be rooted in Barnett’s experience moving from her native Australia to Los Angeles, chafing at the reality of change, claiming she’s “in over [her] head,” but eventually finding courage to stay and grow. “You’re either drowning in the deeper sea/ Or drowning in the kitchen sink/ Either way, it all feels like drowning,” goes one particularly great line. Stream both new songs below.

“Mantis is the microcosmic centerpiece of this album, it embodies the message and meaning of every track. It’s a song about searching, and it helped me find my way through Creature Of Habit,” Barnett said in a statement.

“I was feeling particularly lost while I was working on this song. One day, I was standing in the kitchen, making a coffee, when I noticed a little green praying mantis sitting on top of the doorframe. I had never seen one there in the desert house, so I took it as an important sign from the universe. I texted a photo to Stella [Mozgawa] and she said it’s good luck, look it up! I did a quick search and found it to also represent patience, perseverance and a guide for those who needed direction. I stood and spoke to the mantis for a while, it was a strange and enlightening moment that I’ll never forget. Eventually, I got back to writing, and finally I had the chorus to this song.”

Creature of Habit, Barnett’s fourth studio album, is out on March 27th via Mom + Pop. She’s previously shared the singles “Stay in Your Lane” and “Site Unseen” featuring Waxahatchee. We named Creature of Habit one of the Most Anticipated Indie Rock Albums of 2026. Barnett will support the new album with a 2026 North American tour kicking off in May; see her tour dates below and get tickets to see her here.

Courtney Barnett 2026 Tour Dates:
05/01 — Austin, TX @ RADIO/EAST *
05/02 — Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall *
05/03 — Dallas, TX @ The Bomb Factory *
05/05 — Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium *
05/06 — Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle *
05/09 — Brooklyn, NY @ Kings Theatre ^*
05/10 — Washington, DC @ The Anthem ^*
05/12 — Philadelphia, PA @ The Fillmore ^*
05/13 — Boston, MA @ Roadrunner ^*
05/15 — Madison, WI @ The Sylvee *
05/16 — St. Paul, MN @ Palace Theatre *
05/19 — St. Louis, MO @ The Hawthorn *
05/20 — Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall *
05/21 — Detroit, MI @ Majestic Theatre *
05/22 — Toronto, CA @ History *

08/11 — Cleveland, OH @ Agora Theater +
08/12 — Pittsburgh, PA @ Roxian Theatre +
08/14 — Cincinnati, OH @ MegaCorp Pavilion +
08/15 — Kansas City, MO @ The Truman +
08/18 — Seattle, WA @ TBA
08/19 — Portland, OR @ TBA
08/21 — Denver, CO @ Mission Ballroom +
08/22 — Salt Lake City, UT @ Rockwell at The Complex +
08/24 — Sacramento, CA @ Channel 24 +
08/26 — San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore +
08/29 — Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Palladium “+

^ = w/ Momma
* = w/ Truman Sinclair
“ = w/ Built to Spill
+ = w/ Zoh Amba