Rising from ashes of grief, loss, Thundercat bring down rain with ‘Distracted’

photo from Thundercat’s Instagram

Coming back into the spotlight after six years, award winning musical artist Stephen Bruner, also known as Thundercat, has released his fifth studio album Distracted on April 3. Through his iconic and distinctive R&B sound, Thundercat blasts listeners away throughout 15 tracks, songs featuring popular artists such as Mac Miller and Tame Impala to augment the ride. 

After leaving listeners in awe with his well received fourth studio album, It Is What It Is, Thundercat entered a long hiatus from producing his own music due to the loss of close friends Miller and Meghan Stabile, losses triggering bouts of grief into his personal life. However, he still remained active through feature work with artists such as Gorillaz’ Cracker Island and Bruno Mars and Anderson Paak’s An Evening With Silk Sonic. Seeing Thundercat’s constant presence on other projects but his own left listeners a little displeased, but also in understanding of the artist’s emotional needs.

After a few years of little news, Thundercat surprised listeners with his first single titled “No More Lies,” releasing on April 25, 2023 featuring Tame Impala. The track features an upbeat funk instrumental with disheartening lyrics which follow the destruction of a toxic relationship, speaking against the emotional damage that such a relationship can entail for both sides. With such a sudden release, fans began wondering if Thundercat had finally started the production process of a fifth studio album, which brought an uproar of excitement and an eagerness to hear more. However, he would once again leave the picture, with no announcement of an upcoming album.

After another two years, Thundercat would drop another single titled “I Wish I Didn’t Waste Your Time,” carrying similar lyrics as to his previous single, depicting the regret from a past relationship with a cliche “where did it all go wrong?” The single acts as that reflection onto the relationship and what could’ve possibly been changed to save it.

Finally, after roughly six years of waiting, Thundercat released his single titled “I Did This To Myself,” featuring Lil Yachty and Flying Lotus while simultaneously announcing that his album, Distracted, would be released on April 3. Shortly after, another single would be released titled “She Knows Too Much,” featuring vocals from late artist Mac Miller. Both songs depict a mentally abusive relationship between a self-righteous and ill-speaking person defending the actions that ultimately destroyed their relationship.

After much anticipation, Thundercat’s Distracted finally released on April 3 being subsequently followed by massive praise from critics and fans. Each song on the album is vibrant and indistinguishably its own, showing the mastery of his artistic expression. Many fans exclaim that despite its moderate album length, Distracted is an amazing addition to Thundercat’s discography and worth the six year wait.

In the album’s first track “Candlelight,” Thundercat reels listeners in quickly with complex rhythm and jazz instrumentation. Thundercat uses this track to give dedication to the late Reggie Andrews and Meghan Stabile, both critical people in his life that helped him follow his music career. 

Continuing the themes of fragile relationships in “What Is Left To Say,” the artist beautifully writes from the perspective of an individual beginning to lose feelings for their significant other. One makes up their mind on the relationship, while the other attempts to cling to the love there once was, but comes to accept the end of feelings.

Completely flipping the overarching theme of fragile relationships, Thundercat branches into the optimistic relations that thrive from love in “ThunderWave.” Sounds of rippling water and harmonies from Thundercat and critically acclaimed artist WILLOW help set the tone of this track. The song encapsulates a euphoric sense of love with a setting of a beach with the waves crashing upon the shore with two lovers consummating their love.

Following the release of Thundercat’s album, Distracted, he announced that he would go on tour in support of his album, going international with countries such as New Zealand, Australia, and Japan. With the new album, Thundercat has also released a music video for track “She Knows Too Much”, containing a collaboration of artists to put together a beautiful moment in time. Distracted is one of the eye-catching albums released in 2026 and proves that, despite his hiatus, he still has control of musical skill that has grabbed critics’ attention for years.

Grade: A

Distracted is the kind of record that makes losing focus feel like a deliberate, funky art form rather than a flaw.

by Blake Buss

Published April 27, 2026

Oshkosh West Index Volume 122 Issue VII