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John Cale releases new album 'Mercy' at 80, shares 'Story of Blood' video

publication · 2026-04-27

At 80, John Cale continues to push boundaries with his upcoming album 'Mercy', set for release on January 20 via Double Six/Domino. The album features 12 tracks with guests including Actress, Animal Collective, and Weyes Blood (Natalie Laura Mering). The second single 'Story of Blood' has a video directed by Jethro Waters, showing Cale and Weyes Blood in a red-lit space performing rituals with liquids and found footage exploring the sacred. Cale, born in Carmarthenshire in 1942, gained fame with the Velvet Underground in the mid-1960s and later produced iconic albums like The Stooges' debut (1969) and Patti Smith's 'Horses' (1975).

Key facts

  • John Cale's new album 'Mercy' releases January 20 on Double Six/Domino
  • Album features 12 tracks with guests Actress, Animal Collective, Weyes Blood
  • Second single 'Story of Blood' video directed by Jethro Waters
  • Video shows Cale and Weyes Blood in red-lit space with rituals and found footage
  • Cale was born in Carmarthenshire, Wales in 1942
  • Cale was a member of the Velvet Underground in the mid-1960s
  • Cale produced The Stooges' debut album (1969) and Patti Smith's 'Horses' (1975)
  • First single 'Night Crawling' was released months ago

Entities

Artists

  • John Cale
  • Weyes Blood
  • Natalie Laura Mering
  • Actress
  • Animal Collective
  • Patti Smith
  • Jethro Waters

Institutions

  • Velvet Underground
  • The Stooges
  • Double Six
  • Domino

Locations

  • Carmarthenshire
  • Wales
  • Santa Monica
  • United States

Sources