Orville Peck has revealed that he nearly died from a self-inflicted overdose in a New York hotel in 2023, shortly before a major sold-out concert at Madison Square Garden. After performing the show, he cancelled his tour and entered rehabilitation, later becoming sober; the experience forms the basis of his forthcoming album, Mule.

Due for release on 18 September, Mule follows the chronology of Peck’s worst year, including a relationship breakdown, addiction, rehabilitation and his efforts to reconcile his public persona with his private life. Its opening track features Emmylou Harris, Allison Russell and Noah Cyrus, and imagines the outcome had he not survived; Peck says the record is his most candid work to date.