Stevie Wonder Releases Four Unheard Songs from Songs in the Key of Life Sessions

Key points

• Four unreleased songs from the Songs in the Key of Life sessions have been released as a new EP.
• The tracks include 'It's Easier,' 'My Life Story of Love,' 'I Can See the Sun in Late December,' and 'I'm Into Livin'.
• The release coincides with the 50th anniversary of the 1976 album, which won Album of the Year at the Grammys.
• Wonder is preparing to perform the original album in full on a world tour starting October 13 in Birmingham, UK.
• The EP features backing vocals from Thelma Houston and Deniece Williams, and co-writing credits for Susaye Greene on one track.

Background

In early September 2026, Stevie Wonder announced an 18-show fall tour to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Songs in the Key of Life, with dates across Europe and the US. He also teased a new studio album, Through the Eyes of Wonder, which was expected to include material from the Key of Life era. The current EP release appears to be a precursor or component of that broader anniversary celebration.

How outlets are covering it

The Guardian provides the most detailed coverage, describing the musical style of the new tracks and noting the involvement of original engineers John Fischbach and Gary O Adante in the recent mixing. Yahoo's coverage was inaccessible due to a technical error, and The Telegraph's page was blocked by a security system, so no additional perspectives could be extracted from those sources. Pitchfork's page was also inaccessible due to a consent/cookie wall. Therefore, the synthesis relies primarily on The Guardian's reporting, with background context from our archive.

Why it matters

The release of these unheard songs expands the legacy of one of the most influential R&B and soul albums of the 1970s, offering fans new material from a pivotal period in Stevie Wonder's career. It also serves as a promotional lead-in to his upcoming 50th-anniversary tour, where he will perform the original album in full, reinforcing its cultural and musical significance.

What to watch

Stevie Wonder is set to begin his 50th-anniversary tour on October 13 in Birmingham, UK, followed by dates across Europe and the US. The tour will conclude in Los Angeles on December 19. The status of the previously teased studio album, Through the Eyes of Wonder, remains unclear, but the EP release may signal further anniversary-related projects.