had made many different comments about the prospect of the band recording a sixth studio album prior to the release of Screamer. As far back as 2012, Jenkins stated that the band would not ever make a sixth studio album, stating that after the release of their fifth studio album, 2015's, Dopamine, they would cease recording full albums in favor of touring and recording smaller EP releases. In the coming years, the band would focus on EP releases, including We Are Drugs in 2016, a cancelled EP entitled Summer Gods that was supposed to explore trap music in 2017, and an EP of cover songs, Thanks for Everything, in 2018. Jenkins' stance on recording an album wavered at times in this era, sometimes referring to Summer Gods as an album and explaining that the recording of Thanks for Everything was to find inspiration for recording a future studio album. As late as November 2018, Jenkins was still referring to the release as an EP, though by May 2019, Jenkins announced it had grown from an EP to a full 10 song studio album. In July 2019, Jenkins announced that it had expanded into an 11 song album titled Screamer, scheduled for release on October 18, 2019.
Writing and recording
Jenkins notes that the album features far more outside collaborations than prior Third Eye Blind albums, with the band adopting an "open door policy for various artists to contribute ideas to songs. Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins was described as the album's "musical consigliere". The album's title track features Alexis Krauss of Sleigh Bells, "Who Am I" contains a contribution from Ryan Olson of Marijuana Deathsquads, and "Got So High" features a contribution from Poliça. Jenkins stated the album's sound deviated from the sound of prior albums as well, aiming for a rougher, less polished sound and emphasizing a mantra of "Keep the edge, keep it weird". Thematically, the albums explores the idea of personal revelation and passion in the face of an oncoming dystopia, being inspired by social and political activism of recent years.
Release and promotion
The album was initially planned to be released prior to the band's North American tour with Jimmy Eat World in June 2019, but the album was stuck at only 90% complete at the time and was held back. While the band was unable to promote the album itself on the tour, they still teased the album's upcoming release at live shows and debuted new songs live at various shows, including "Screamer", "The Kids Are Coming", and "Ways". The studio recording of "Screamer" was released on July 25, 2019, the same day as the album's name and release date announcement. The album will be one of ten grouped together in the "Ten Albums, One Cause" breast cancer awareness campaign, which involves it receiving a special pink vinyl release.
