SYNONYM ALBUM - MESHELL NDEGEOCELLO | TRACKLIST, RELEASE DATE & FACTS

Meshell Ndegeocello has opened a bold new chapter with Synonym, her third album for Blue Note Records, released October 2, 2026 — a 15-track duets project reimagining beloved classics with Cynthia Erivo, Chaka Khan, Cat Power, Brandi Carlile, ANOHNI, WILLOW and more.

Read on for the release date, label, concept, full tracklist in exact order, and the official video.

Image: Blue Note Records (official album artwork).

Album Details

Artist: Meshell Ndegeocello
Album: Synonym
Release Date: October 2, 2026
Label: Blue Note Records
Producers: Abe Rounds, David Gamson, Meshell Ndegeocello
Runtime: 62:03
Format: 15-track duets album (color vinyl, black vinyl, CD, digital)
Concept: an expression of queer liberation as a synonym for liberation of all kinds; every duet pairs two singers who identify within the same gender spectrum, matched for contrast or compliment
Singles: "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" (with Cynthia Erivo) — July 15, 2026; "Don't You Want Me" (with Cat Power) — August 7, 2026; "With God on Our Side" (with Bill Callahan & Chris Thile) — September 18, 2026

This is Ndegeocello's third album for Blue Note Records, following The Omnichord Real Book (2023) and No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin (2024).

Tracklist

1. "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" (with Cynthia Erivo)
2. "Don't You Want Me" (with Cat Power)
3. "Don't Stop the Music" (with Nick Hakim & Robert Glasper)
4. "Islands in the Stream" (with Chaka Khan)
5. "It Ain't Me Babe" (with Madison Cunningham)
6. "Always on Time" (with Laura Lee)
7. "Be Real Black for Me" (with Emily King & Lizz Wright)
8. "Don't Look Any Further" (with Lianne La Havas)
9. "The Closer I Get to You" (with Destin Conrad & Moses Sumney)
10. "Golden Ring" (with Brandi Carlile)
11. "I Got You Babe" (with ANOHNI)
12. "Here We Come (Here He Comes)" (with Evann McIntosh)
13. "Guilty" (with Ink)
14. "Hunger Strike" (with WILLOW)
15. "With God on Our Side" (with Bill Callahan & Chris Thile)

Watch the Official Video

The official audio for the lead single, "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" with Cynthia Erivo, is streaming on Meshell Ndegeocello's official VEVO channel — watch it below.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Synonym released?

Synonym was released on October 2, 2026, on Blue Note Records, and is available on vinyl, CD, and digital formats.

Which guest artists appear on Synonym?

The album features duets with Cynthia Erivo, Cat Power, Nick Hakim, Robert Glasper, Chaka Khan, Madison Cunningham, Laura Lee, Emily King, Lizz Wright, Lianne La Havas, Destin Conrad, Moses Sumney, Brandi Carlile, ANOHNI, Evann McIntosh, Ink, WILLOW, Bill Callahan, and Chris Thile.

What is the concept of the album?

The album is an expression of queer liberation — a synonym for liberation of all kinds. Each duet pairs two singers who identify within the same gender spectrum, matched either for contrast or to compliment one another, reimagining classic songs.

What are the singles from Synonym?

Three singles arrived ahead of the album: "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" with Cynthia Erivo (July 15, 2026), "Don't You Want Me" with Cat Power (August 7, 2026), and "With God on Our Side" with Bill Callahan & Chris Thile (September 18, 2026).

For more new album coverage, read our posts on the "Made in Chicago" album by Lalah Hathaway, Remi Wolf's "Mud" album, and John Legend's "Muse" album.