Dead Man’s Bones, the musical duo of Ryan Gosling and Zach Shields, has released “Lost in the Night,” its first new song since 2009. Produced with longtime collaborator Tim Anderson, the track marks the duo’s return after 17 years and arrives with a black-and-white music video starring Noah Jupe and Rain Spencer.
Key Takeaways
- Dead Man’s Bones released “Lost in the Night” on October 27, 2026, ending a 17-year gap between new songs.
- Ryan Gosling and Zach Shields recorded the track in one day at a farm outside Los Angeles.
- Longtime collaborator Tim Anderson produced the single.
- Noah Jupe and Rain Spencer star in the accompanying black-and-white music video.
- The duo’s only studio album, Dead Man’s Bones, was released in 2009.
Dead Man’s Bones Returns With “Lost in the Night” After 17 Years
Ryan Gosling and Zach Shields have revived Dead Man’s Bones with “Lost in the Night,” their first new music since releasing their self-titled debut album in 2009.
The single, released through ANTI- Records, marks the end of a lengthy recording hiatus for the duo, whose original work blended gothic folk, indie rock, doo-wop and theatrical storytelling.
“Lost in the Night” retains elements of the band’s atmospheric style while incorporating drum machines, synthesizers and post-punk guitars. Its electronic textures give the new recording a different character from the choir-driven arrangements associated with the duo’s debut.
The release also arrives shortly before Halloween, a season closely associated with Dead Man’s Bones because of the band’s supernatural themes and horror-inspired musical identity.
Extended gaps between releases have also shaped other rock projects. Blondie, for example, has announced a new studio album nine years after its previous full-length collection of new material.
For Dead Man’s Bones, however, the current return centers on a standalone single. Gosling and Shields have not formally announced a second studio album or a tour.
Ryan Gosling and Zach Shields Record New Song in One Day
The recording process behind “Lost in the Night” began with Gosling and Shields searching for a suitable studio environment in Los Angeles.
After trying several recording spaces without achieving the sound they wanted, the duo moved their equipment to a farm outside the city.
They brought two guitars, two drum machines and two synthesizers and completed the song in a single day.
Tim Anderson, who also worked on the band’s 2009 debut, returned as producer. His involvement maintains a creative connection between the original album and the new recording.
The limited instrumental setup reflects a relatively stripped-down recording approach compared with the debut album’s larger vocal arrangements. The new track incorporates electronic rhythms and post-punk influences while maintaining the atmospheric qualities associated with Dead Man’s Bones.
The project remains separate from Gosling’s film soundtrack performances. Although the actor has demonstrated his musical abilities in films including La La Land and Barbie, Dead Man’s Bones is an established songwriting partnership with Shields.
Shields has also developed a career in screenwriting and production, including work connected to the Godzilla film franchise. Their return to recording reunites the collaborators on a project they first introduced nearly two decades ago.
Noah Jupe and Rain Spencer Star in Black-and-White Music Video
The accompanying “Lost in the Night” music video stars Noah Jupe and Rain Spencer in a romantic nighttime narrative.
Filmed in black and white, the video follows the actors as they leave a cemetery and travel through city streets after dark. The imagery combines the band’s longstanding fascination with gothic settings with the song’s themes of love and connection.
Jupe, known for Hamnet, and Spencer, who appeared in The Summer I Turned Pretty, bring a cinematic element to the production.
Rather than relying exclusively on footage of the musicians performing, the video develops a story through its characters and locations. That narrative approach illustrates how music videos differ from simpler visualizers built primarily around recurring imagery.
The cemetery setting also connects the new video with the supernatural influences that shaped Dead Man’s Bones from the beginning. However, the relationship between the characters gives the production a more romantic focus than its eerie opening might suggest.
The video was released alongside the single, providing a visual introduction to the duo’s return.
Dead Man’s Bones Builds on Its 2009 Debut Album
Gosling and Shields released their self-titled debut album in October 2009 through ANTI- Records, establishing Dead Man’s Bones as a musical project inspired by ghost stories, vintage rock and theatrical arrangements.
One of the album’s defining features was its collaboration with the Silverlake Conservatory Children’s Choir, affiliated with the music education organization founded by Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea.
The children’s voices contributed to the record’s unusual combination of gothic folk, doo-wop and indie rock, creating an atmosphere that drew on both nostalgic musical styles and supernatural imagery.
Although the duo did not release another album in the following years, its music continued reaching audiences through film and television placements, covers and renewed online interest.
The song “In the Room Where You Sleep” appeared in the 2013 horror film The Conjuring, while Cat Power included a cover of “Pa Pa Power” on her 2022 album Covers.
The band’s association with Halloween also helped maintain interest in its catalog, particularly as listeners revisited its ghostly themes during the season.
“Lost in the Night” reconnects Gosling and Shields with that musical history while introducing a more electronic sound. Whether the single will lead to another album remains unconfirmed, but its release marks the duo’s first new recording in 17 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the New Dead Man’s Bones Song Called?
The new song is titled “Lost in the Night.” Released in October 2026, it is the duo’s first new music since its 2009 self-titled debut album.
Who Are the Members of Dead Man’s Bones?
Dead Man’s Bones consists of actor and musician Ryan Gosling and writer-producer Zach Shields. The pair formed the musical project around their shared interest in supernatural themes and storytelling.
Why Did Dead Man’s Bones Stop Releasing Music?
Dead Man’s Bones largely stepped away from public activity after promoting its 2009 debut album. Both members continued pursuing separate professional careers, but they have not publicly established a single definitive reason for the long gap between releases.
Who Appears in the “Lost in the Night” Music Video?
Actors Noah Jupe and Rain Spencer star in the black-and-white video, which follows two characters traveling from a cemetery into the city at night.
Who Produced Dead Man’s Bones’ New Song?
Tim Anderson produced “Lost in the Night.” He previously collaborated with the duo on its 2009 debut album.
Will Dead Man’s Bones Release a New Album?
Dead Man’s Bones has not officially announced a second studio album or confirmed a release date. “Lost in the Night” is currently its first new single in 17 years.
