The War on Drugs have returned with their first new studio song in four years, and “Who’s That” sounds like a band that knows exactly what makes their music work without feeling the need to rush back into the spotlight.
Released on September 11, 2026, the new single is built around the spacious, gradually expanding sound that has become one of The War on Drugs’ signatures. Guitars, keyboards and steady drums create a wide musical landscape, but the song never feels overloaded. There is plenty of room between the different elements.
That sense of space is important because “Who’s That” is not really a song about celebration. At its center is uncertainty. The track deals with the struggle to maintain a sense of yourself while dealing with anxiety, depression and self-doubt.
Adam Granduciel's vocal performance fits that subject particularly well. He does not push the words with unnecessary drama. Instead, his delivery has a tired and reflective quality that makes the song feel like someone thinking through a problem rather than presenting a finished answer.
Musically, the song takes its time. The rhythm establishes a steady pulse while additional layers gradually appear around it. Guitars and keyboards give the arrangement its familiar widescreen quality, but the production never loses sight of the song itself.
That is one of the strongest things about “Who’s That.” The War on Drugs have developed a sound that can be recognized within seconds, but the band does not simply turn that sound into a formula. The track still has a sense of movement, with the arrangement slowly becoming larger as it progresses.
The guitars are especially effective. Rather than relying on one huge riff, the song uses several textures that sit alongside each other. Some are more noticeable than others, and that gives the track a feeling of constant motion even when the basic rhythm remains steady.
The production also creates an interesting contrast with the lyrics. The music sounds expansive, almost cinematic at points, while the subject matter is much more personal. The result is a song that feels large on the outside but uncertain at its center.
That contrast has worked well for The War on Drugs throughout their career. Granduciel's songwriting often places ordinary human concerns inside enormous musical arrangements. “Who’s That” continues that tradition without sounding like an attempt to recreate one of the band's older singles.
The biggest strength of the track is its patience. It does not try to grab attention with an immediate chorus or an oversized production trick. Instead, the song gradually draws the listener into its atmosphere. It is the kind of track that becomes more interesting when you let it play from beginning to end.
There is also something refreshing about the fact that The War on Drugs have returned with a song that does not try to prove anything. After four years without a new studio single, they could have come back with something designed to make the biggest possible impact. “Who’s That” takes a different route.
It sounds comfortable in its own world.
For longtime fans, that familiarity will probably be one of the song's biggest attractions. The guitars, steady rhythm and layered production are all recognizable parts of The War on Drugs' musical language. For newer listeners, the track works as a straightforward introduction to what makes the band distinctive.
If there is one potential weakness, it is that the song does not dramatically reinvent the band's sound. Listeners looking for a major stylistic change may find some of the production choices familiar. But that does not necessarily work against the song. “Who’s That” seems more interested in refining an established identity than abandoning it.
The result is a thoughtful return from a band that understands the value of atmosphere. It is polished without feeling sterile, emotional without becoming overly dramatic, and expansive without losing its human center.
“Who’s That” may not be the kind of song that reveals everything on the first listen. Its appeal comes from the details and the way the arrangement keeps moving around Granduciel's reflective vocal.
After four years away from new studio music, The War on Drugs have chosen a quiet but confident way to return. “Who’s That” does not need to shout for attention. It simply creates its own space and invites the listener into it.
Rating: 8/10