Robert Pollard’s side project Rip Van Winkle has renamed itself The U.S. Rip Van Winkle and announced a self-titled second album. The change marks the next release from the Dayton-based group, separate from Pollard’s Guided By Voices line-up, and continues his prolific output beyond his main band.

The album will be released on 2 October via Special Research/Splendid Research Records and contains 15 songs. Made with Joe Patterson, Ben Penry and Jason Short, it is described as spontaneous lo-fi psychedelia recorded in two days; lead single “The Loser” is available now. The band previously released the EP The Grand Rapids in 2024 and debut album Blasphemy in 2025.