Tove Styrke Returns: New Single ‘Prayer’ & Album ‘The Afterparty’

Tove Styrke’s “Prayer”: Why the Pop Icon’s Return is the Reinvention We Needed

Tove Styrke has always been a bit of a shapeshifter. From the minimalist cool of “Say My Name” to her recent stint starring in David Bowie’s Lazarus, she’s never been an artist content to sit still. But after a period of relative quiet, her brand-new single “Prayer” feels different. It doesn’t just sound like a new song; it sounds like a new person.

This isn’t just a comeback—it’s the opening ceremony for her most personal chapter yet, leading up to her upcoming album, The Afterparty, arriving in Autumn 2026.

More Than a Hiatus: Finding the “Bold New Chapter”

Sometimes you have to step away from the noise to find your own voice again. For Tove, that meant stepping into motherhood and trading the studio lights for the stillness of nature. You can hear that groundedness in the new music. There’s a confidence here that only comes when you stop trying to chase the “next big hit” and start trusting your own gut.

“Prayer” isn’t polished to a plastic sheen. Instead, it’s built on:

• Analogue warmth: It feels tactile and “fuzzy” in the best way.

• Live instruments: There’s a human heartbeat behind the production.

• Total ownership: You get the sense that every note was fought for.

From “Say My Name” to the “Afterparty”

With over a billion streams under her belt, Tove Styrke’s legacy is already cemented. We’ve seen her collaborate with everyone from Clean Bandit to Cosmo’s Midnight, but those were different versions of her.

The Tove we’re meeting in 2026 is “leveling up.” By leaning into a more left-leaning, forward-thinking sound, she’s moving away from the predictable pop machine and into a space that feels much more adventurous. It’s “art-pop” with a soul—fearless, intuitive, and a little bit gritty.

What’s Next?

If “Prayer” is the appetizer, we are in for a serious feast. The Afterparty is shaping up to be a record that defines what modern pop can be when the artist is finally in full bloom.

Tove Styrke isn’t just returning to the stage; she’s reclaiming it on her own terms. And honestly? It was worth the wait.

“Prayer” is out now. Catch the vibe on Spotify and Apple Music.