Vulfpeck Previews New Album ‘Decay Of The Aura’ With ‘The Beachcomber’ Single

Vulfpeck unveiled a breezy instrumental single, “The Beachcomber.” The new track serves as the first preview of a previously unannounced Vulfpeck album entitled Decay Of The Aura.

Vulfpeck identified “The Beachcomber” as a single from Decay Of The Aura in the description accompanying the song’s official video. The band has yet to reveal additional details regarding the album, including its release date and tracklist.

“The Beachcomber” lives up to its name with a mellow seaside vibe. Cory Wong carries the main melody on guitar, which recalls Chuck Berry’s “Rock And Roll Music,” while Joe Dart holds down the low end and Louis Cato plays drums.

The single is Vulfpeck’s first new music since Theo Katzman revealed in May he would not tour with the group in 2026 to focus on his solo career. Cato subsequently took Katzman’s place behind the kit for Vulfpeck’s summer performances and makes his presence felt on “The Beachcomber.”

Vulfpeck recorded the song at The Studio at Belcourt in Newport, Rhode Island. The session came during a summer in which the band made two visits to Newport’s Fort Adams State Park, performing at the Newport Folk Festival on July 25 and returning six days later for the Newport Jazz Festival.

Along with Wong, Dart and Cato, “The Beachcomber” features Woody Goss on Wurlitzer, Joey Dosik on saxophone, Jack Stratton on cowbell, Charles Jones on organ, Jacob Jeffries on piano and Antwaun Stanley providing “movement.” Stratton mixed the track, while Wong was among its engineers. Writing credit for “The Beachcomber” is attributed to Vulfpeck as a collective.

Decay Of The Aura will follow Vulfpeck’s Clarity Of Cal, which arrived in March 2025. The 11-track LP was recorded live during September 2024 concerts in Berkeley and Los Angeles.

Watch Vulfpeck’s “The Beachcomber” video below: