Kicking My Feet & Screaming

Ruel Vincent van Dijk released his third studio album, Kicking My Feet & Screaming, on June 12, 2026, via Recess Records and Giant Music. The project serves as the second half of a duology following his 2025 release Kicking My Feet, completing an arc that moves from the awkwardness of new romance to the chaotic reality of long-term commitment. The title metaphorically captures the physical restlessness and emotional outbursts inherent in navigating complex relationships during one's early twenties.

Production duties were handled by M-Phazes alongside Dan Wilson, shifting the sonic landscape from the soft melodies of the first volume toward a rawer, more aggressive sound. The standard edition contains twelve tracks written entirely by Ruel, featuring guest spots from English singer Griff on I Don't Wanna Be Like You and Australian rapper Manu Crooks on Other Side. A deluxe version was subsequently released with additional material, though track listings varied slightly across digital platforms.

Commercially, the album debuted at number 2 on the ARIA Albums Chart, marking Ruel's highest peak to date, while also topping the ARIA Australian Artist Albums Chart. It reached number 8 in New Zealand and number 15 on the UK R&B Albums Chart. Critical responses ranged from praise for its emotional maturity in publications like The Guardian to more reserved assessments regarding its risk-taking nature in outlets like Pitchfork. [editar]