(hed)p.e. are switching up their release plans for their new album ‘Relapse’, opting to make the record available exclusively on CD for the time being while delaying its full digital release until summer 2027.
The decision comes shortly after the band’s previously announced October 2nd digital release date passed. Following the launch of their own label, Creator One Records, the group are embracing their independence with a release strategy that prioritizes physical album sales and gives individual tracks more time in the spotlight.
Under the new plan, fans who purchase the CD will receive a digital copy of the album, which features 10 tracks. The record will not be released in its entirety on streaming services such as Spotify, Apple Music or Amazon Music until summer 2027.
In a statement shared on Monday, October 12th, (hed)p.e. vocalist Jared Gomes, who also goes by Jahred, explained that the band decided to abandon the traditional approach of holding physical copies until after the first week to maximize chart performance.
“FUCK THE CHARTS! – WE MAKE THE RULES!
RELAPSE – MY PEOPLE GET IT FIRST!”
Gomes said the band had consulted with a new team before settling on the revised strategy, which will allow fans who preordered the physical edition to hear the complete album months ahead of its eventual digital release.
“Rather than holding back the physical CDs to maximize our first-week Billboard chart position, we’re going to start shipping them directly to our people.”
“In other words, the only place to get the entire record is from buying the CD. It will NOT be digitally released on spotify, apple music, amazon music or any other platform in its entirety, until the Summer of 2027.”
While acknowledging that the decision could affect the band’s chart performance, Gomes made it clear that the group are more interested in rewarding their dedicated fanbase than chasing first-week numbers.
“Will this potentially cost us some chart positions? Absolutely.
DO WE GIVE A FUCK? NAAAAAAAA!
We are prioritizing our people over that. You deserve to hear this record FIRST.”
The revised rollout will follow what Gomes described as a “waterfall release strategy,” with the band planning to gradually introduce more songs and accompanying music videos over the coming months rather than making the entire album available online at once.
Gomes said he wants to give the material more room to connect with listeners, explaining that the amount of time and personal investment that went into ‘Relapse’ made an immediate, all-at-once digital release feel unsatisfying.
“I spent so much time on this fucking record. A piece of myself was sacrificed at the altar. The idea of just releasing it to the internet, all at once right now, sounds very painful.”
“I’m not going to spend all that time creating something just to have it disappear into the endless abyss of new music a week after its release.”
The band have already begun that process with the single “Violent Girl,” which Gomes said was approaching 600,000 views. Additional singles and videos are expected to arrive as the group builds toward the album’s full worldwide digital launch next summer.
“I’m going to give each song the attention it deserves. And shoot videos for multiple tracks.”
Gomes also emphasized the freedom that comes with operating independently through Creator One Records, arguing that the band no longer need to follow conventional industry release practices.
“We’re an independent band on our own indy label; and we don’t have to play by anybody else’s fucking rules.”
For fans who do not have a CD player readily available, the band have also confirmed that anyone who preorders or purchases the physical edition will receive a digital copy.
“PS: whoever preorders / buys the physical CD will also receive a digital copy of the release. cuz nobody has a cd player in their car do they.”
With ‘Relapse’ now set for a staggered rollout, (hed)p.e. will spend the coming months releasing individual tracks and videos before the complete album finally arrives on digital platforms in summer 2027.
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