In the contemporary landscape of indie-folk and chamber-pop, few emerging artists articulate vulnerability with the devastating precision of Clara Mann. Following the critical acclaim of her 2025 breakthrough release, Rift, the Anglo-French-German singer-songwriter has captured the attention of the European independent music scene through a unique synthesis of traditional folk idioms, poetic lyricism, and modern atmospheric textures. Today, Mann deepens the narrative surrounding her highly anticipated second studio album, Wishbone—slated for an official release on October 23rd via the independent vanguard label state51—by releasing her breathtaking new single, All My Devotion.
Accpanied by an evocative music video co-directed by Mann and Jack Cotter, All My Devotion serves as both a sonic anchor for the forthcoming record and a profound exploration of absolute, unshielded love. This release builds directly upon the momentum established last month by the album’s lead offering, News From Home. Together, these tracks trace a distinct thematic evolution in Mann’s artistry. Moving away from the nostalgic introspection that characterized Rift, Wishbone finds the artist venturing into bolder emotional terrain—grappling with the terrifying prospect of happiness, self-actualization, and the active pursuit of a fulfilling life.
Beyond her recorded output, Mann’s artistic footprint is expanding rapidly across live platforms. Tonight, she is scheduled to perform an intimate live session on BBC Radio 2 for Mark Radcliffe, offering listeners a preview of her evolving material in a stripped-back broadcast environment. This media appearance precedes an extensive autumn tour spanning major cultural hubs across Germany, Spain, France, Switzerland, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.
As pre-orders for Wishbone on limited-edition LP and CD open globally, the music industry is watching closely. Clara Mann is not merely following up a successful debut; she is challenging herself and her listeners to endure the terrifying weight of trust, holding the tension of a drawn bow where absolute devotion meets the possibility of ruin.
Detailed Chronology
The Genesis of Wishbone: A Creative and Personal Evolution
To understand the weight and resonance of All My Devotion and the broader sonic ecosystem of Wishbone, one must trace the trajectory of Clara Mann’s career over the past several years. Mann first emerged as a formidable new voice with delicate, narrative-driven compositions that drew comparisons to the canonical pillars of British folk and contemporary chamber-pop. Her debut record, Rift, established her as an artist of rare atmospheric depth. Centered largely on themes of nostalgic introspection, distance, and memory, Rift allowed listeners to sit comfortably within the melancholic ache of the past.
However, artistic stagnation is an alien concept to Mann. In crafting her sophomore LP, Wishbone, she deliberately pivoted away from looking backward, choosing instead to confront the harrowing task of imagining a positive future. Speaking on the conceptual foundation of the new album, Mann has frequently referenced Rest Energy, the iconic 1980 performance piece by Serbian conceptual artists Marina Abramović and Ulay. In this visceral piece, Abramović and Ulay hold a heavy, drawn bow and arrow between them, with the arrow pointed directly at Abramović’s heart. The tension of the bow depends entirely on their mutual lean backward; a single slip of trust or a momentary lapse in balance would result in disaster.
For Mann, Rest Energy became a masterclass in visual metaphor for Wishbone. The album captures that precise, white-knuckled moment where trust, intimacy, and the possibility of ruin exist simultaneously in a single gesture. Moving away from the safety of past grief, Mann forced herself to imagine good things for her life—to believe that emotional fulfillment, stability, and joy were actually within her reach. Crucially, she has noted that this prospect was deeply frightening. Allowing oneself to picture a genuinely beautiful life requires shedding defensive armor, opening the door for genuine vulnerability.
The Unveiling of News From Home
The first concrete evidence of this thematic and sonic shift arrived last month with the release of the album’s lead single, News From Home. The track immediately signaled an expansion of Mann’s sonic palette, blending her signature, haunting vocal delivery with richer arrangements and a newfound lyrical directness. Critics and fans alike noted a subtle yet unmistakable hardening of her resolve; while the fragility remained, it was now fortified by a fierce determination to claim her own narrative.
News From Home set the stage for a comprehensive rollout, leading directly to today’s unveiling of All My Devotion. By pacing the release of these singles, Mann and state51 have methodically constructed a bridge for listeners, easing them out of the nostalgic mists of Rift and into the high-stakes emotional architecture of Wishbone.
All My Devotion: Release, Visuals, and Immediate Reception
Released today alongside its official music video, All My Devotion serves as the emotional heartbeat of the upcoming album. The track is an uncompromising exploration of romantic devotion, driven by Mann’s conviction that love must be total and unreserved.
The accompanying visual medium matches the song’s emotional intensity. Co-directed by Clara Mann and Jack Cotter, and produced by Meadow Marks, the music video avoids glossy pop tropes in favor of stark, intimate framing. The visual direction mirrors the minimalist yet emotionally charged aesthetic of Rest Energy, utilizing light, shadow, and physical proximity to translate the song’s themes of complete surrender into cinematic language.
The single’s release coincides with significant media amplification. Tonight at 9:00 PM, Mann will step into the spotlight for a live session on BBC Radio 2 hosted by broadcasting veteran Mark Radcliffe. This session provides a crucial platform for Mann to demonstrate the live translation of her new material, stripping the songs down to their foundational elements—her voice and her instrumentation—before she embarks on her extensive international tour.
Supporting Context & Metrics
Discographical Evolution: From Rift to Wishbone
The transition from Rift (2025) to Wishbone (2026) represents a critical milestone in Clara Mann’s artistic development. While Rift was celebrated for its acoustic intimacy and quiet contemplation, Wishbone introduces a wider dynamic range, incorporating subtle textural shifts, expanded instrumentation, and more assertive vocal performances. This evolution reflects Mann’s growth not only as a musician but as a lyricist willing to tackle complex psychological states.
| Release | Year | Primary Label | Core Thematic Focus | Sonic Profile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rift | 2025 | Independent / State51 | Nostalgic introspection, distance, memory | Acoustic-led, intimate, sparse arrangements |
| Wishbone | 2026 | state51 | Trust, vulnerability, imagining a positive future | Expanded sonic palette, dynamic tension, rich textures |
Global Tour Circuit and Live Performance Metrics
Mann’s live schedule for the autumn of 2026 underscores her expanding international footprint. Her routing takes her across major European cultural capitals and specialized boutique festivals, reflecting a diverse listener base that spans folk traditionalists, indie-pop enthusiasts, and contemporary art-music crowds.
- September 16–19: Reeperbahn Festival — Hamburg, Germany
- September 18: MMVV — Vic, Spain
- September 26: International Guitar Festival — Montpellier, France
- October 30: Echolot — Lucerne, Switzerland
- November 15: Sugar Club — Dublin, Ireland
- November 24: Pianodrome — Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- November 25: Halle St Michaels — Manchester, United Kingdom
- November 28: Outside — Bantham, United Kingdom
- November 29: Lantern Theatre at Bristol Beacon — Bristol, United Kingdom
- December 4: St Matthias Church — London, United Kingdom
This carefully curated string of dates balances high-profile showcase festivals (such as Reeperbahn and MMVV) with intimate, acoustically sympathetic seated venues (such as London’s St Matthias Church and Edinburgh’s Pianodrome), ensuring that the nuanced dynamics of Wishbone are delivered in optimal acoustic environments.
Official Statements
Clara Mann on All My Devotion
To fully grasp the intent behind Mann’s latest work, one must examine her own words regarding the creative impulse that birthed the single. Offering a rare, unguarded glimpse into her personal philosophy on love and heritage, Mann shared:
“All My Devotion is a love song—I wrote it about my instinct to give everything to someone. I grew up in a family who showed me what devotion meant—devotion to one another, to a way of life, to making things—and I don’t know any other way to love but completely.”
This statement illuminates the autobiographical roots of the track. Rather than depicting love as a tactical game of self-preservation, Mann frames it as an inherited lineage of total dedication. This worldview forms the crux of the album’s central conflict: when an individual is hardwired to love and commit entirely, the vulnerability required to sustain that connection becomes both a profound strength and an existential risk.
Conceptual Framework and Artistic Vision
Expanding upon the visual and philosophical scaffolding of Wishbone, Mann has repeatedly emphasized the influence of Marina Abramović and Ulay’s Rest Energy. In interviews discussing the album’s development, she has reflected on the psychological barrier of allowing oneself to desire happiness:
“It’s a frightening prospect to picture a life that’s beautiful and allow yourself to want it. On Rift, I was looking back, safely wrapped in nostalgia and introspection. With Wishbone, I had to force myself to imagine good things for myself, and genuinely believe they might actually be within reach. That hope is terrifying.”
This tension between hope and fear defines the artistic merit of Wishbone. By refusing to rely on easy resolutions, Mann elevates her songwriting from simple confessionals to universal meditations on human agency and emotional courage.
Future Outlook
The Road to October 23rd and Beyond
As the music community processes the double-punch of News From Home and All My Devotion, anticipation for the full release of Wishbone on October 23rd via state51 continues to compound. The pre-order campaign—encompassing high-quality LP and CD formats—has already galvanized Mann’s core demographic, signaling strong physical sales potential for an independent artist operating in a streaming-dominated ecosystem.
The immediate horizon holds significant promotional and artistic milestones. Tonight’s BBC Radio 2 session with Mark Radcliffe will expose Mann’s intricate arrangements and crystalline vocals to a vast national radio audience, bridging the gap between niche indie acclaim and mainstream cultural penetration. Following this broadcast, the rigorous autumn touring schedule will test the physical and emotional stamina of the artist as she brings the high-stakes narrative of Wishbone to stages across the UK and continental Europe.
Long-Term Industry Trajectory
Looking further ahead, Clara Mann’s trajectory points toward sustained, organic growth within the upper echelons of alternative and contemporary folk music. By rejecting creative stagnation and willingly stepping out of the comfort zone of her debut, Mann has proven that she is an artist of substantial depth and ambition.
Wishbone stands to solidify her reputation not just as a promising voice of her generation, but as a mature songwriter capable of translating complex philosophical concepts into visceral, emotionally resonant art. As fans prepare for the album’s drop this October, the overarching narrative remains clear: Clara Mann has pulled back the bowstring, anchored her footing in absolute devotion, and is prepared to release her most defining work to date.
