In Times of Dragons

In Times of Dragons is the eighteenth studio album by the American singer-songwriter and pianist Tori Amos. It was released on May 1, 2026, through Fontana Records.^[2] Amos described the record as a "metaphorical story about the fight for Democracy over Tyranny, reflecting the current abhorrent non accidental burning down of democracy in real time by the 'Dictator believing Lizard Demons' in their usurpation of America".^[3]

Amos worked with photographer Kasia Wozniak to create the album's cover art, a composite of multiple photos of the artist.^[4]

Amos has shared on social media:

In Times of Dragons is a story that parables the current dangerous times we are in - where democracy itself is on the line. As I'm fleeing from the character that is my sadistic billionaire Lizard Demon husband, I came across people I had not been allowed to see in years, and they had not wanted to see me because of the relationship I found myself in. To avoid being captured and dragged back to the Lizard Demon's penthouse, I run to the deep south of the US to throw him and his henchman off my trail. One of the many characters I meet on the journey is The Daughter. We spend time and sing together. "Stronger Together" is the culmination of our relationship as it is transformed with The Daughter choosing to stand by me no matter what challenges lay ahead. Whatever we will face in the future, we make a vow to each other that we're Stronger Together. ^[5]

In Times of Dragons was well-received from music critics upon release. The album received a score of 82 out of 100 on the review aggregator website Metacritic, based on 10 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim."^[6]

Reviewing the album for AllMusic, Neil Z. Yeung wrote, "Emotionally heavy, often devastating, and characteristically unflinching and bold, it's a sprawling work that gets under the skin."^[7] Rolling Stone rated it 3.5 out of 5 stars, noting "Amos' world-weary mezzo-soprano and precisely calibrated piano parts unfurl in a heady tale of salvation."^[8]

PopMatters singled out the closing track "23 Peaks" as "a towering achievement, truly unlike anything Tori Amos has ever put to record" and calling it an example of "Amos’ particular genius."^[9]

In a more mixed review, Pitchfork rated the album 6.8 out of 10, saying, "There are flashes of overwhelming tenderness and wind-stopping moments..." but "...In Times of Dragons pales against Amos’ early work." It goes on to praise the track "Provincetown" as "the greatest Amos return to form" and "Blue Lotus" as "the album's best song."^[10]

Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes.^[1]

• Tori Amos – Bösendorfer, synthesizers, keyboards, harpsichord, vocals, production
• Matt Chamberlain – drums, percussion, drum programming, electronics, recording, mixing
• Jon Evans – basses
• Mark Hawley – all guitars, recording, mixing
• John Philip Shenale – synthesizers, samplers, orchestral arrangements
• Natashya Hawley – additional vocals on "Veins", "Strawberry Moon", "Pyrite", and "Stronger Together"
• Adrian Hall – mixing
• Jon Astley – mastering
• Adam Spry – engineering assistance
• Miles Showell – vinyl mastering
• Graham Sharland – piano and harpsichord technician
• Kasia Wozniak – photography
• Karen Binns – creative direction, styling
• Y-Lan Lucas – set design
• Kavita Kaul – make-up artist
• Adam Livemore – hair design, hair styling
• Matt Read – package design