A new song is out now from Blake Shelton, and it’s a tear-jerker. Written by HARDY, Zach Crowell and Jameson Rodgers, “Let Him In Anyway’ is from Shelton’s forthcoming new album, For Recreational Use Only, out on May 9.

The song says in part, “Hey God / I know you know what I’m about to pray, God / I just had to suck it up and say goodbye to my best friend / And I don’t ever wanna never see him again / And I know the only way to get in is through you / And he wasn’t quite the Christian he was supposed to be / And Lord, it ain’t my place / But could you let him in anyway?”

“‘Let Him In Anyway’ is one of the most powerful songs I’ve ever had the chance to record,” says Shelton. “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” is just one of 12 songs on Shelton’s next record, which also includes collaborations with his wife, Gwen Stefani, on “Hangin’ On,” Craig Morgan on “Heaven Sweet Home,” and recent Country Music Hall of Fame inductee John Anderson on “Years.” The project also includes Shelton’s current Top 10 single, “Texas.” Shelton reunited with his longtime producer, Scott Hendricks, to create For Recreational Use Only.

“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 says of For Recreational Use Only, which marks Shelton’s first new album since Body Language came out in 2021.. “Scott 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 also includes Shelton’s current Top 10 single, “Texas.”

“I knew I loved the song, but I don’t record songs that I don’t love,” Shelton tells  American Songwriter.  “So that was the easy part to, know that I loved it. I needed to know what other people thought about it before I was willing to say, ‘Let’s come with it first.’ I haven’t done this in a long time, and I wanted it to have an impact … When I went in and played three or four things for BMG, they’re the ones that went, ‘Oh my God, this song.’ Then as I went around and played it for other friends and family and people that I work with. It was unanimous every time I played it for people. They were like, ‘Play that again.’”

“It was exactly what I was praying for throughout this process,” he continues, adding one person asked him to play it three times in a row. “I am to the point in my career where I’ve started to think people maybe a lot of times were going to wait to see what I say first.”

See a track list for the record below. Shelton is currently headlining his Friends and Heroes Tour, joined by Morgan, Trace Adkins, Deana Carter and Emily Ann Roberts. Pre-order the record, and find all of Shelton’s music and tour dates at  BlakeShelton.com.

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)