Blake Shelton is set to release his new album, For Recreational Use Only, on May 9. The project will mark Shelton’s first album under BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville.
The dozen-song album spotlights songs from several top-shelf country songwriters, including Sarah Buxton, Zach Crowell, Greylan James, Shane McAnally, Pat McLaughlin and Bobby Pinson. The project also features Shelton in collaboration with fellow artists including wife Gwen Stefani, John Anderson and Craig Morgan.
“It’s been a long time since we had a new album out, and I want to thank the songwriters and musicians who helped bring this record to life,” Shelton said in a statement. “[Producer] Scott [Hendricks] and I have been working on this music for years, and I’m beyond excited to finally share it with the fans.”
Gearing up for the album, Shelton follows his current Billboard Country Airplay top 15 hit “Texas” with the new song release, “Let Him In Anyway,” which offers the spiritual-minded tale of someone pleading for divine forgiveness for a friend who never fully went all-in on redemption.
“‘Let Him In Anyway’ is one of the most powerful songs I’ve ever had the chance to record,” Shelton said in a statement. “Hardy is a co-writer and a friend, and I’ve never heard a song like this before. When I first listened to it, I knew it was something special. It’s an honor to bring it to life, and I’m incredibly proud of the record we made.”
Shelton is currently leading his sold-out Friends & Heroes Tour, with the country star joined by artists including Morgan, Deana Carter, Trace Adkins and Emily Ann Roberts.
See the tracklist for For Recreational Use Only below:
- “Stay Country or Die Tryin’” (Drew Parker, Graham Barham, Sam Ellis, Beau Bailey)
- “Texas” (Johnny Clawson, Kyle Sturrock, Josh Dorr, Lalo Guzman)
- “Hangin’ On” (feat. Gwen Stefani) (Sam Ellis, Charles Kelley, Greylan James)
- “Strangers” (Michael Hardy, Zach Crowell, Jameson Rodgers)
- “Let Him In Anyway” (Michael Hardy, Zach Abend, Kyle Clark, Carson Wallace)
- “Heaven Sweet Home” (feat. Craig Morgan) (Chris Tompkins, Sarah Buxton, Jake Rose)
- “Life’s Been Comin’ Too Fast” (Craig Wiseman, David Lee Murphy, Lindsay Rimes)
- “Don’t Mississippi” (Shane McAnally, Ross Copperman, Ben Hayslip, Josh Osborne)
- “All of My Love” (Colton Swon, Zach Swon)
- “Cold Can” (Bobby Pinson, Josh Osborne, Andrew DeRoberts)
- “The Keys” (Jay Brunswick, Brock Berryhill, Bobby Pinson)
- “Years” (feat. John Anderson) (Pat McLaughlin, John Anderson, David Ferguson, Daniel Auerbach)