The Academy Is...

Beloved Chicago band The Academy Is… unveils a new chapter in their story. Formed in Chicago, the band emerged in the early-2000s as a defining voice. The group broke through with their 2005 debut Almost Here, a release that left a lasting imprint and produced enduring fan favorites such as “Slow Down” and “Checkmarks.” Years of relentless touring followed, along with two critically acclaimed albums, Santi (2007) and Fast Times at Barrington High (2008), before the band stepped away in 2011. To date, The Academy Is… has sold over 500,000 records and generated millions of streams worldwide.

Following the pandemic, The Academy Is… returned to the stage for a series of celebrated reunion performances, reconnecting with longtime fans while reaching new audiences. Highlights included sharing the stage at Wrigley Field with Fall Out Boy and headlining hometown sets at Riot Fest in Chicago. Those performances confirmed the band is playing at an all-time high, with a deeper connection to fans and renewed creative momentum.

That momentum led directly to Almost There, a new album conceived as a companion piece to Almost Here. While the debut captured the urgency of leaving home, Almost There explores the other side of that journey, reflecting on what it means to return with time, perspective, and intention. Grounded in the present while honoring the past, the album finds the band fully aligned with itself and its audience. With a legacy that helped define an era, The Academy Is… continues forward with purpose. Almost There will be released March 27, 2026.