Damien Jurado shared details of his new album, “Private Hospital”, available on streaming on October 30th, 2025. The album is the fifth and final instalment of his “Reggae Film Star” pentalogy, a series that began in 2023. On his Substack, Jurado expressed pride in the series but singled out the upcoming album, calling it a “very different album for me.” While the specifics of the album’s new sound have yet to be revealed, Jurado is making a notable shift in how he releases his music.
“Private Hospital” will be Jurado’s first album released exclusively in book form. He is moving on from traditional formats like vinyl, CDs, and cassettes, citing there are “a myriad of reasons, but environmental being at the top of my list.” In his announcement, Jurado urged fans to research the environmental impact of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) used in vinyl production and the number of physical releases that end up in landfills. “I personally no longer want to be a part of it,” Jurado stated. He believes there are “more constructive, fun, and environmentally conscious ways to tangibly release music into the world”.
The physical release of “Private Hospital” will offer more than just the music; it will also include additional content. Inside the book, fans will find a postcard designed by Jurado with a download code on the back for the new album. A bonus album of demos will also be included with the physical release, exclusively for those who purchase the book. This bonus material will not be available on streaming platforms. Beyond the music, the book will feature a selection of photos from Jurado’s personal collection of “found photography” and hand-typed lyrics. Jurado explained that the use of these photos is his way of paying tribute to the countless amateur photographers whose work has inspired his songwriting. He plans to continue this practice with future releases. “Some of the greatest photos I have ever seen came from normal everyday people like you and me who documented their lives,” he said. “Sadly, many of these photographs are never seen, which I find very unfortunate.” This innovative approach to releasing music and honouring forgotten art promises to make “Private Hospital” a one-of-a-kind collectable for fans.
The book/album will ship around October 30th. Currently, it looks like UK/EU fans may well struggle to order a physical copy of this Limited Edition release (300 copies), as, at the time of writing this, ordering via the official store did not include a UK Shipping option, and Bandcamp delivery charges are costly (I was quoted £147).
Links:
Damien Jurado Store | Bandcamp | Substack
Private Hospital Tracklisting:
1 Celia Weston
2 Here In The States
3 Hey Pauline
4 Heaven’s A Drag
5 Hospital Prayer
6 Howard Morton
7 Pictures On The Run
8 Western Airlines Flight 701
9 Vampira
10 Vic Tayback
11 Call Me, Madam
Private Hospital home demos (with Book only)
1 Celia Weston
2 Hey Pauline
3 Heaven’s A Drag
4 Howard Morton
5 Pictures On The Run
6 Western Airlines Flight 701
7 Vampira
8 Vic Tayback
9 Call Me, Madam
10 A Place Reserved For Reverse
New Single: Wearing Your Violence
Although not one of the tracks listed on Private Hospital, Jurado has also released a new single, Wearing Your Violence:
