Tragic Magic is the fourth studio album by Australian singer Matt Corby, released on 17 April 2026 through Island Records Australia. The album was announced in October 2025 and was initially scheduled for release on 6 March 2026 before being delayed.
Upon announcement, Corby said "We've been working on it for about 18 months and I'm really proud of it. It feels very reflective of where my life is at right now; how my family, my kids are the most important thing and watching them grow up has completely rewired my brain and outlook on life."
The album was supported by an Australian tour in June 2026.
At the 2026 ARIA Music Awards it was nominated for Best Solo Artist, Best Adult Contemporary Album and Best Cover Art.
Reception John Zebra from AAA Backstage called the album "a deeply introspective and sonically rich project" saying, "Tragic Magic explores the emotional spectrum between grief and joy, weaving together themes of fatherhood, friendship, loss and isolation. The album arrives as a timely and timeless body of work, reflecting Corby's evolving artistry while maintaining the soulful authenticity that has defined his career."
Grace Kneale from The AU Review said "The album carries many themes throughout it; themes of fatherhood, friendship, grief, isolation and joy. "
The Australian said Tragic Magic isn't an album that any artist with a penchant for 1970s-era production could craft; instead, it's the cumulative result of a lifetime spent respecting the musical process."
Lauren McNamara from Rolling Stone Australia said "Tragic Magic sees the Australian singer-songwriter further refine his timeless sound, balancing joy and hardship through rich bass-lines, delicate restraint and soaring falsetto, wrapped in his ever-evolving brand of sophisticated soul."
Track listing
Notes indicates a strings producer indicats a vocal producer
Personnel Credits adapted from Tidal. Matt Corby – vocals, engineering (all tracks); drums (tracks 1–5, 7–13), percussion (1–3, 7–12), bass (1, 2, 4–8, 10–13), synthesizer (1, 2, 4–6, 8–12), guitar (1, 2, 8, 9, 12), piano (4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 13), Wurlitzer electric piano (6); Mellotron, string arrangement (7); organ (8, 12) George Georgiadis – mastering Chris Collins – mixing (1, 2, 4–6, 10–13), engineering (1, 4–7, 11–13), guitar (1, 7, 13), synthesizer (6, 7, 13), acoustic guitar (6); bass, string arrangement (7) Nat Dunn – background vocals (1, 2, 7, 10–12) Dane Laboyrie – horn (1, 2, 8) Dann Hume – engineering, mixing (3, 8, 9); guitar (3, 9), bass (9) Sam Boon – string arrangement (7–9, 13) Anna Pokorny – cello (7–9, 13) Adrian Biemmi – violin (7–9, 13) Cameron Jamieson – violin (7–9, 13) James Armstrong – violin (7–9, 13) Madeleine Jevons – violin (7–9, 13) Henry Justo – viola (7–9, 13) Stephen Mowat – engineering (7–9, 13) Meg Mac – background vocals (7)
Charts + Chart performance for Tragic Magic Chart (2026) Peakposition Australian Albums (ARIA) 3 New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) 31
References