Eleni Mandell Returns with Tailspin, Breaking Seven Years of Radio Silence to Tour this Summer
Los Angeles, CA – January 23rd, 2026 – After a seven-year hiatus defined by global isolation and profound personal transformation, the noir-pop siren Eleni Mandell returns with Tailspin. Releasing this May 29th via Schoolkids Records, this album feels less like a comeback and more like a survival kit lullaby. A collection of 14 poignant songs emerging from the fog of grief, divorce, and the sometimes painfully quiet heroism of single motherhood. To support the release, Mandell will embark on a summer tour running from June 14th to August 7th.
For a while, it seemed the music might never come back to her. Like so many female artists navigating the precarious balance of career and family, Mandell faced challenges during the pandemic years. She stepped away from the stage to teach high school English, supporting her two children, one on the autism spectrum, through the uncertainty of lockdown. She navigated the loss of her father and her longtime mentor, Los Angeles music legend, Chuck E. Weiss, alongside a breakup and an inevitable transition to suburban life. But silence, for an artist of Mandell's caliber, is rarely permanent. Tailspin is the sound of the engine restarting. A low, insistent hum that signals an artist finding her frequency after a long, static-filled silence.
Tailspin Out May 2026
Standout tracks like "Life is Sometimes", "Lemon Tree," and “Flirtatious Friend” showcase Mandell's signature blend of raw emotion and sharp storytelling. "Life is Sometimes" confronts the unpredictable duality of life, moving between moments of pure joy and the gut-punch of hardship, leaving listeners to nod along in recognition."Lemon Tree" offers a quieter, more sentimental reflection. Inspired by her daughter, Della, and their move to a new home, the song is a tender ode to motherhood and the transient beauty of a child's wonder. "Flirtatious Friend," on the other hand, sizzles with the sultry tension and unspoken chemistry that can only exist between two people who know each other almost too well. These songs prove her mastery of turning vulnerability into melodies that stick with you.
"I didn't know if I'd ever make another record," Mandell shares. And yet, the songs emerged, as if from a dream, steeped in the same smoky blend of noir-pop, folk, and jazz that has long established her as an "L.A. treasure" (LA Weekly). What emerges is an album that almost abandons the stage in favor of an intimate, late-night confession. It honors the beauty and burden of showing up for real life, stripping away any facade to reveal the grit required to maintain hope. This is a record for anyone who has had to reinvent themselves when the world stopped turning.
Mandell's impact on the indie music scene is undeniable. Her songs have been covered by renowned artists like Jackson Browne, Inara George, and Irma Thomas, showcasing her far-reaching influence. A cherished member of harmony group,The Living Sisters, Mandell continues to captivate audiences with her genre-defying talent. NPR aptly described her as "a singer-songwriter who doesn't belong to any one genre," and her album Tailspin is a testament to her ability to capture the truth of the moment. Artists like Lera Lynn and Benji Hughes have also honored her work through powerful covers, further solidifying her place as a music icon.
About Eleni Mandell
Eleni Mandell is a Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter with a dozen studio albums and a devoted international following. A member of The Living Sisters, her work has been covered by peers such as Jackson Browne and Inara George. Her music has consistently defied genre, blending noir-pop, jazz, and folk into a sound that is entirely her own. Tailspin is her first album in seven years, released via Schoolkids Records and distributed by Redeye Worldwide.