New Radicals have a new album coming, and Gregg Alexander is treating the whole thing like a joke. The group behind “You Get What You Give” just revealed that their second album, Maybe You’ve Been Brainwashed TWO, is on the way — 28 years after their last original song.
The news comes via an interview with Music Business Worldwide, where Alexander confirmed the project exists and offered his candid thoughts on it. The album is a direct sequel to 1998’s Maybe You’ve Been Brainwashed Too, and Alexander says it’s better than the original.
The Song That Started It All
In July, New Radicals quietly released “One Night Only (Break Loose Break Free!)” for the rom-com movie One Night Only. It was their first original song in 28 years, and it served as a quiet reintroduction.
Now the band has made it clear that wasn’t a one-off. The new album is called Maybe You’ve Been Brainwashed TWO, and Alexander says the first proper single is “apparently as good as ‘You Get What You Give.'”
Alexander’s Sequel Pitch
Alexander told Music Business Worldwide that the new record is the official follow-up to his hit. He framed it as a gradual rollout rather than a sudden drop.
“We do have the official ‘You Get What You Give’ follow-up; we just want to build up to releasing it incrementally,” he said. He added that the album is better than the first one, and that the lead single matches the quality of the original track.
When asked what happens after this album, Alexander got playful. “This album is called Maybe You’ve Been Brainwashed TWO. But if it inspires people, why not THREE or FOUR? Who knows.”
The Villains Outside
Alexander was also candid about the obstacles holding the album back. He suggested that industry figures who oppose the project exist, though he didn’t name names.
“The fact is, a lot of music people want this album released because New Radicals is all about music, yet we’ve always been outspoken and so there’s probably some villains out there that don’t,” he said.
He then shifted to a more serious note. “But all jesting aside, many believe that with a proper roll of the dice we could give a bit of the shot in the arm pop culture could use right now; we ain’t called New Radicals for nothing: subversively underground while dancing naked on Main Street.”
AI and the Labels
The interview also touched on technology. Alexander expressed strong views on artificial intelligence.
“I despise AI and I hope labels protect artistry from it tenaciously,” he said.
Why This Announcement Works
The comeback announcement reads as more than a statement. Alexander’s jokes about villains and the band’s name are part of the pitch, not separate from it. The playful framing makes the comeback feel less like a calculated return and more like a genuine surprise.
Key Facts Box
- New Radicals released “One Night Only (Break Loose Break Free!)” in July for the rom-com One Night Only
- Their last original song was 28 years ago
- The new album is called Maybe You’ve Been Brainwashed TWO
- The first single is “apparently as good as ‘You Get What You Give'”
- Alexander said the album is “better than the first one”
Our View
This is a comeback announcement dressed as a comedy routine, and it works. Alexander’s refusal to play things straight makes the news more memorable than it needed to be.
The album’s title, the promise of a sequel, and the jokes about villains all land together. It’s a clever way to remind people why the band mattered in the first place, without repeating the same tired comeback playbook.
The album has a name, a stated quality, and a sense of humor. That’s enough to get fans excited, even if the release date remains unannounced.
New Radicals are ready for their next act.
Source material: “New Radicals Ready First New Album Since 1998,” Stereogum.
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