"The Laughing Apple" is the fifteenth studio album by Yusuf / Cat Stevens, released on September 15, 2017, through Cat-O-Log Records. This album is Yusuf's fourth mainstream release since he returned to music, following his previous album Tell 'Em I'm Gone (2014).
Produced by Yusuf / Cat Stevens and Paul Samwell-Smith, the album marks a significant moment in his career as it is the first release to prominently feature his former name, Cat Stevens, since Back to Earth in 1978. The title The Laughing Apple is a nod to one of his earlier hits, "The Laughing Apple," from his 1967 album New Masters.
The album was well-received and even earned a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Folk Album, underscoring its critical success.
On July 21, 2017, Yusuf / Cat Stevens announced the upcoming release of his new studio album The Laughing Apple, scheduled for September 15, 2017. This announcement marked the first significant news about the album, generating anticipation among fans and critics. The album, produced by Yusuf / Cat Stevens and Paul Samwell-Smith, would go on to be notable for its nod to Stevens' earlier work and his return to using his former stage name, Cat Stevens.
