MNEK has released BULLDOZER!!, his first studio album in eight years. The 11-track project arrives ahead of his first tour in seven years, a 15-date UK and European run beginning at Thekla in Bristol on November 7.

BULLDOZER!! was preceded by the singles “REVERSE!!,” “OH NO!! ALL THE BOYS!!” and “MUSCLE MARYS.” Across the album, the GRAMMY- and BRIT-nominated singer and songwriter addresses queer masculinity, body image, desire, taking up space and the idea of the American Dream. The record also draws on the sounds and culture that shaped MNEK and his experiences as a queer Black man from South London.

MNEK described the album as his “most certain piece of work” and said its central idea is about overcoming both external expectations and self-imposed limitations. “BULLDOZER!!, to me, is all about breaking through walls that others build of us and we build for ourselves,” he said. “Making this album has healed a part of me that was really broken and scared to share my world. This music has been mine for a while and I’m so excited that it can now be yours.”

The album follows a summer in which MNEK performed at Trans Mission and Pride in London, as well as appearing at All Points East with Zara Larsson. He will take BULLDOZER!! on the road with THE!! BULLDOZER!! TOUR!!, which will travel across the UK and Europe. After opening in Bristol, the itinerary includes a London performance at KOKO on November 13.

Listen to MNEK’s “BULLDOZER” here.