Soul-Jazz Singer Karen Bernod to Release New Album “Iris” on May 13th, 2026 | LISTEN!
RENOWNED SOUL & JAZZ RECORDING ARTIST
KAREN BERNOD READIES MAY RELEASE OF UPCOMING ALBUM IRIS WITH NEW SINGLE “BELIEVE,” FOLLOWING LEAD SINGLE “2GETHA IN SPIRIT”
Together, the singles set the stage for Bernod’s first studio album in 10 years
– a deeply personal tribute to her late mother
Bernod will celebrate the release of IRIS with a special Mother’s Day concert at City Winery NYC
(New York, NY – February 23, 2026) – Renowned soul and jazz recording artist Karen Bernod will release her new single, “BELIEVE,” on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, marking the next chapter in the lead-up to her forthcoming album IRIS, arriving May 13. The project signals Bernod’s long-awaited return to the studio — her first full-length release in 10 years — and stands as a deeply personal tribute to her late mother, Iris Cox.
“BELIEVE” arrives as an infectious, uplifting affirmation of faith and gratitude. Up-tempo yet airy, the track moves with buoyant rhythms and whimsical musical touches, allowing Bernod’s voice to carry both clarity and conviction. Lyrically, the song centers on perseverance and perspective – urging listeners to be thankful for each day and mindful of the grace that carried them through. With lines that acknowledge the weight everyone carries while affirming that the goodness we seek has always lived within, “BELIEVE” feels communal and deeply personal at once – a joyful testament to resilience, faith, and forward motion.
The new single follows “2GETHA IN SPIRIT,” which made its debut as a special tribute in honor of her mother’s birthday on January 21. Radiating a sense of warmth and vibrancy throughout, the song is a hypnotically hopeful sonic meditation – seamlessly underscoring the album’s heartfelt inspiration. Anchored by Bernod’s signature soulful phrasing, whimsical musicality, and striking emotional clarity, the track reframes loss as continuity – honoring love as a living force that endures, evolves, and remains present in spirit long after physical absence. Underscoring these themes, the song is also dedicated to the memory of Bernod’s co-writer, Gil Small, whose creative partnership and collaborative voice helped shape the music. His influence resonates throughout the work – honoring both his artistic legacy and the concept of enduring connections.
Together, both singles serve to introduce audiences to the emotional landscape of the project and reveal a body of work rooted in reflection, resilience, and affirmation – transforming remembrance into renewal and connection.
Bernod will celebrate the album’s arrival with a special Mother’s Day Weekend performance on the mainstage at City Winery New York City on Sunday, May 10, 2026, a return engagement following her sold-out debut at the venue last summer. The concert will offer audiences an intimate preview of IRIS ahead of its official release on May 13 – a date that also coincides with Bernod’s birthday – creating a full-circle moment that bridges personal tribute and artistic resurgence.
Blending new music with personal reflections and storytelling, the evening will invite audiences to a shared moment of connection, honoring the enduring bond between mothers and daughters. Known for her electrifying and magnetic stage presence, infectious humor, and having a genuine rapport with audiences, Bernod’s return to City Winery promises to be both a joyful musical homecoming and a poignant celebration of love, loss, and renewal.
“‘BELIEVE’ really captures the spirit of where I am right now,” said Bernod. “It’s about faith – not just that there is something bigger than us, but in the strength we discover within ourselves after we’ve been tested. ‘2GETHA IN SPIRIT’ carries that energy in a different way. It honors love that remains present, even when someone is no longer physically here. Both of these songs are the perfect entry point to the album. Creating IRIS in tribute to my mother was both tender and transformative. It gave me space to celebrate her influence on my life while reconnecting with my own voice as an artist. After ten years away from releasing a studio album, returning with something so personal feels so right. I’m looking forward to performing these songs – and others from the record at City Winery on Mother’s Day and sharing that full circle moment with the audience.”
A fixture in the worlds of soul, R&B, and jazz for more than four decades, Bernod has lent her extraordinary three-octave voice and dynamic artistry to an iconic roster of music legends, including Chaka Khan, Mary J. Blige, Erykah Badu, D’Angelo, Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross, and Paul Simon. Her acclaimed solo catalog – including Some Othaness For You, Life @ 360 Degrees, and #PlantingSeeds — has solidified her reputation as a fiercely independent artist who bridges the raw emotional power of soul with the sophistication of jazz.
Photo Credit: AMBE J. WILLIAMS
An additional single from IRIS will be released this Spring leading up to the album’s full release.
For additional information, please visit Karenbernod.com
For tickets to Karen’s Bernod’s show at City Winery NYC, please click HERE
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