Blake Shelton‘s new single “Texas,” is out now. The song, from a forthcoming new album, is one Shelton might not have ever made, if not for Post Malone. It was Post Malone, the rapper turned country singer who invited Shelton to sing with him on “Pour Me a Drink,” from Post Malone’s F-1 Trillion album, which Shelton says inspired him to return to the studio again, three years after Body Language was released in 2021.
“I really credit Post Malone for this new energy that I have because I was kind of just complacent and not in any hurry,” Shelton tells People. “Then that kid came along and asked me to sing on his song with him. It took off and was a big hit this summer, and it reminded me like, ‘Hey, get off your a–! This may be your last chance to really take a big swing at this thing.’ So here I am.”
Shelton was determined to slow down after being on The Voice, the show he left in 2023 after 23 seasons. After admitting that it took over almost every aspect of his life, the Grand Ole Opry member wanted to focus on spending more time with his wife, Gwen Stefani, and his three stepsons.
“The last couple of years, especially since I’ve retired from The Voice, I’ve just kind of been trying to be very mindful of the next thing that I do, be thoughtful about it and be sure that I’m not just doing things because I’m on the hamster wheel anymore,” Shelton reveals. “It happens, and before you know it, you go, ‘My God, where have the last ten years gone?'”
Shelton admits that “Texas,” his debut single on BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville, is a bit of a stretch for him, which is exactly why he decided to introduce his next record with the song.
“The thing that struck me about ‘Texas’ immediately was how different it sounded for me, and I’m always looking to push myself,” Shelton says of the song. “I think there’s something really special about this record, and important for me.”
“Texas” also marks a new musical chapter for Shelton, who spent the first 23 years of his career on Warner Music Nashville, before announcing earlier this year that he left his longtime label.
“This is the perfect opportunity to come back with something so different, and it easily felt like it should be the first single,” Shelton says. “It’s connected with what I’ve done but moves forward at the same time, and it’s the perfect start to the next chapter of my career.”
Shelton recently announced he is part of a new reality TV talent show, The Road, airing next year on CBS. Hewill also spend part of 2025 on tour. The Oklahoma native will kick off his Friends & Heroes Tour 2025 on February 27 in Lexington, Kentucky, joined by Trace Adkins, plus Craig Morgan, Deana Carter and Emily Ann Roberts.
Find “Texas” and all of Shelton’s music and tour dates at BlakeShelton.com.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of the CMA