Lukas Graham Returns to His Folk Roots with New Album ‘Good Times’

The Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter explores friendship, grief, family and renewal across the deeply personal 13-track album.

Grammy-nominated Danish singer-songwriter Lukas Graham has released his new album, Good Times, through Virgin Music Group.

The 13-track project reconnects the artist behind the global hit “7 Years” with the Celtic and folk traditions that shaped his childhood in Copenhagen. It combines acoustic instrumentation, personal storytelling and Lukas’ Irish musical heritage to explore memory, friendship, grief and second chances.

The album arrives as Lukas Graham joins Ed Sheeran as a special guest on select North American dates of the 2026 Loop Tour, beginning August 15 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

A personal tribute to a longtime friend

One of the album’s most meaningful songs is “Before You Go,” which Lukas wrote in 2019 for his longtime friend Thomas.

Thomas lived with a chronic illness throughout their friendship of nearly two decades. Before undergoing another brain surgery that could have affected his sense of taste, he asked to accompany Lukas during tour stops in Korea and Japan.

The trip allowed Thomas to experience the places, food and moments he had hoped to enjoy while he still could.

Lukas eventually turned the experience into a song but promised Thomas that it would only be shared publicly when he was ready. Years later, Thomas asked Lukas to perform “Before You Go” at his funeral.

Lukas sang it publicly for the first time at the same church where he had buried his father.

“It’s a song that’s meant to be sung along to, even though nobody knows it yet,” Lukas said.

The song has since become an emotional part of his live performances.

Returning to the music that shaped him

The themes of memory and connection found in “Before You Go” run throughout Good Times.

Lukas grew up in Christiania, a free-spirited community in Copenhagen established on a former military site. His late father, Eugene, was born in Donegal and introduced him to folk music, Irish traditions and the communal experience of musicians performing together.

The album was recorded with a rotating group of musicians in Nashville and New York. Several of them shared personal connections with Eugene and the folk community surrounding Lukas during his childhood.

Contributors include uilleann pipe and Irish flute player Michael McGoldrick, bassist Sam Grisman, mandolin player and vocalist Tim O’Brien, fiddler Stuart Duncan and guitarist Brian Sutton.

“People my dad knew. People who had slept on a couch in my mum and dad’s living room,” Lukas previously shared. “It was very important to me that we got a hold of some of these musicians and got that cultural connection.”

Their participation grounds the album in Celtic, bluegrass and acoustic traditions while giving the project a strong connection to Lukas’ family history.

Songs about reflection and renewal

The album opens with its title track, “Good Times,” which introduces the record’s bright and communal spirit.

“Second Chance” focuses on acknowledging past mistakes, embracing renewal and working toward becoming a better person. Meanwhile, the previously released “To Know A Girl” pairs banjo-driven instrumentation with a soaring vocal and powerful chorus.

The full album includes 13 songs:

1. Good Times
2. Second Chance
3. Before You Go
4. To Know A Girl
5. Freetown Road
6. River Run
7. Falling
8. Carry Me Home
9. Days Like These
10. Rich Man
11. Nights I Won’t Forget
12. Last Mile
13. Loved You Better

From ‘7 Years’ to a new chapter

Lukas Graham achieved worldwide recognition with the 2015 single “7 Years.” The reflective song received three Grammy nominations, topped charts in more than 15 countries and helped place him among the first 25 artists to join Spotify’s Billions Club.

He has since built a multi-platinum international career spanning four albums. His other successful releases include “Love Someone,” which received platinum certifications in 18 countries.

Known for writing about family, love, loss and resilience, Lukas has consistently drawn from his own experiences—from losing his father to becoming a father himself.

He has also sold out tours across Europe, North America and Asia and performed at major events and programs, including the Grammy Awards, MTV Video Music Awards and Good Morning America.

With Good Times, Lukas Graham begins another personal chapter—one grounded in the people, traditions and memories that shaped him.

Good Times is now available through major music streaming platforms.