"Red Pill Blues" is the sixth studio album by American band Maroon 5, released on November 3, 2017, through 222 and Interscope Records. This album marks the first time multi-instrumentalist Sam Farrar is credited as an official member of the band, although he had previously contributed to every Maroon 5 release and toured with them since 2012. It is also notable as the last album featuring bassist Mickey Madden as a full member, making it their only release as a seven-piece band. The album's title references the concept of taking a red pill or blue pill from the 1999 sci-fi film The Matrix. Red Pill Blues follows their fifth studio album V, released in 2014, and features collaborations with artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Julia Michaels, SZA, ASAP Rocky, LunchMoney Lewis, Future, and Cardi B.
Upon its release, Red Pill Blues received mixed reviews from critics and peaked at number two on the US Billboard 200. The album includes singles like "Don't Wanna Know," "Cold," "What Lovers Do," "Wait," and "Girls Like You." The first two singles, "Don't Wanna Know" and "Cold," were included in the album's deluxe and Japanese editions. "What Lovers Do" reached the top ten in 25 countries, including Australia, Canada, and the United States. "Wait" achieved moderate success, while "Girls Like You," featuring Cardi B, topped the US Billboard Hot 100 and reached the top five in Australia and Canada. The band supported the album with the Red Pill Blues Tour from 2018 to 2019.
In terms of background, Maroon 5 began planning this album after a lengthy tour for their previous album. They started recording new material in March 2017 at Conway Recording Studios in Los Angeles and shared studio teasers on social media. At the 2017 Teen Choice Awards, frontman Adam Levine announced the album's November release. The title, Red Pill Blues, was revealed on October 4, 2017, with pre-orders starting shortly after. Levine described this album as closely related to their debut album, Songs About Jane.
The album cover, inspired by Snapchat filters, was created by photographer Travis Schneider and depicts the band members in a playful manner. It won a bronze award at the 2018 Shorty Awards for its use of Snapchat.
The album's promotional singles included "Help Me Out," featuring Julia Michaels, and "Whiskey," featuring ASAP Rocky, with "Wait" also serving as a promotional single before its official release. Maroon 5 celebrated the album's launch with a concert at the iHeartRadio Theater in Burbank, California, and subsequently announced a tour that included dates across North America, Australia, Asia, and Europe, featuring various opening acts.
