Photo: Robby Klein
Blake Shelton debuted an emotional ballad mourning the loss of a friend as he confirmed details about his new studio album on Friday (March 14). The announcement arrives after a few days of the Oklahoma-born country star sharing vague teasers on social media.
Shelton’s 12-track album, For Recreational Use Only, will arrive this spring, nearly four years after the singer-songwriter’s previous project. The latest “powerful preview” of For Recreational Use Only is “Let Him In Anyway,” an “emotionally gripping ballad tells the story of a man hoping for divine forgiveness for a lost friend who was just shy of redemption,” reads a press release issued to announce Shelton’s new song and upcoming album. HARDY wrote the ballad with Zach Abend, Kyle Clark and Carson Wallace.
“‘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.”
“Let Him In Anyway” follows “Texas,” written by Johnny Clawson, Kyle Sturrock, Josh Dorr and Lalo Guzman, and produced by Scott Hendricks, Shelton’s longtime producer. Shelton released that song — which nods to legendary King of Country George Strait — in November. Shelton said at that time that “Texas” sounded “different” to him, “and I’m always looking to push myself.”
For Recreational Use Only will also include a few collaborations, including another one with Shelton’s wife, powerhouse singer-songwriter Gwen Stefani, plus fellow country stars Craig Morgan and John Anderson. See the full track list below.
“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. “Scott (Hendricks) and I have been working on this music for years, and I’m beyond excited to finally share it with the fans.”
For Recreational Use Only will release on May 9.
For Recreational Use Only Tracklist:
1. Stay Country or Die Tryin’ - (Drew Parker, Graham Barham, Sam Ellis, Beau Bailey)
2. Texas - (Johnny Clawson, Kyle Sturrock, Josh Dorr, Lalo Guzman)
3. Hangin’ On (feat. Gwen Stefani) - (Sam Ellis, Charles Kelley, Greylan James)
4. Strangers - (Michael Hardy, Zach Crowell, Jameson Rodgers)
5. Let Him In Anyway - (Michael Hardy, Zach Abend, Kyle Clark, Carson Wallace)
6. Heaven Sweet Home (feat. Craig Morgan) - (Chris Tompkins, Sarah Buxton, Jake Rose)
7. Life’s Been Comin’ Too Fast - (Craig Wiseman, David Lee Murphy, Lindsay Rimes)
8. Don’t Mississippi - (Shane McAnally, Ross Copperman, Ben Hayslip, Josh Osborne)
9. All of My Love - (Colton Swon, Zach Swon)
10. Cold Can - (Bobby Pinson, Josh Osborne, Andrew DeRoberts)
11. The Keys - (Jay Brunswick, Brock Berryhill, Bobby Pinson)
12. Years (feat. John Anderson) - (Pat McLaughlin, John Anderson, David Ferguson, Daniel Auerbach)