Morphine Releases Unheard Song 'Spaceman Charm'
A previously unreleased track from the band's late frontman surfaces alongside a new album built from his abandoned recordings.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Alternative
Morphine has released "Spaceman Charm," a song recorded in 1998 that has never appeared in any form before. The release comes alongside the announcement of the album Cocoon, assembled from recordings frontman Mark Sandman left behind.
Why it matters
The release gives listeners access to material from a band whose leader died suddenly in 1999 while performing in Italy. It extends the posthumous catalog of a group that has continued to draw attention in the alternative rock community.
The song was recorded in 1998 and had never been released before this announcement. Cocoon is scheduled for release on 12/4 on Partisan, and its exact track count was not specified.
The players
Morphine
Morphine was a Boston-based alternative rock band known for its distinctive two-string bass and saxophone sound.
Mark Sandman
Mark Sandman was the founding frontman of Morphine and died of a heart attack while performing in Italy in 1999.
Partisan
Partisan is an independent record label that is releasing the album Cocoon.
The details
Cocoon was constructed by Paul Q. Kolderie and Sabine Hrechdakian, who went through recordings Sandman made with Kolderie and Sean Slade. Saxophonist Dana Colley recorded new parts for some songs, experimenting with different saxophones and bass clarinet under Kolderie's guidance.
Timeline
1998: "Spaceman Charm" is recorded.
1999: Mark Sandman dies of a heart attack while performing in Italy.
2000: Morphine releases the album The Night.
2004: The double CD Sandbox: The Music Of Mark Sandman is released.
12/4: Cocoon is scheduled for release on Partisan.
Legacy Catalog
The 2004 Sandbox double CD first drew Sandman's abandoned recordings to listeners, and Cocoon continues that archival effort with material from the same period. Together the two releases show how the estate has returned to unfinished work over two decades.
Listeners can access "Spaceman Charm" as a newly released track from Morphine. The full Cocoon album is set for release on 12/4 through Partisan.
The takeaway
Archival releases can reveal how an artist's work continued to develop even after their death. Fans of Morphine can revisit the band's catalog alongside the upcoming Cocoon release to hear the material in context.
What happens next
Cocoon is scheduled for release on 12/4 on Partisan.
Further reading
For more on the genre, explore Alternative coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Stereogum.
