After years of building a loyal following, Nicotine Dolls made major changes, including reshaping their lineup, scrapping a completed album, and rediscovering the raw energy that first inspired frontman Sam Cieri to love rock & roll. Co produced by Cieri and Marti Frederiksen (Aerosmith, Ozzy Osbourne), their self-titled second album released today, marks a new chapter for the band. The record captures the chemistry between Cieri, guitarist John Newsome, and drummer Abel Tabares. On this episode of The Popdust Podcast with Demi Ramos, Cieri discusses the journey, following their instincts and creating the songs that reflect who they truly are.
The new self titled album “Nicotine Dolls” follows their 2025 debut, An Attempt at Romantic, and represents a turning point for Cieri, who founded the band in 2018 in New York City. During their first tour with Newsome, the band rediscovered the excitement of playing rock music.
After signing with BMG, the band decided to scrap their original plans for a second album and start fresh. Cieri says the new record is the album he had always wanted to make. For him, the self titled release is the first true Nicotine Dolls album.
The recording process pushed the band harder than ever, both physically and creatively. With their self-titled album, Nicotine Dolls prove that sometimes the best way forward is to start over. By embracing their instincts and reconnecting with the energy that first drew them to music, the band has created a record that feels raw, honest, and unapologetically their own. More than a reinvention, it’s a statement of who they are and what they’re capable of.
