“A new album is coming from Blake Shelton! The Grand Ole Opry member announces the release For Recreational Use Only, out on May 9. A first on Shelton’s new label, BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville, the record reunites Shelton with his longtime producer, Scott Hendricks, for the 12-track project.
“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. “Scott and I have been working on this music for years, and I’m beyond excited to finally share it with the fans.”
Shelton has three duets on For Recreational Use Only. The Oklahoma native is joined by his wife, Gwen Stefani, on “Hangin’ On,” his longtime friend (and current touring partner) Craig Morgan on “Heaven Sweet Home,” and Country Music Hall of Fame member John Anderson on “Years.” The project also includes Shelton’s current Top 10 single, “Texas.”
Shelton’s last studio album, Body Language, was out in 2021. He also opens up about his new album, his first in four years, on social media.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve had a new album out so I’m thrilled to share that ‘For Recreational Use Only’ will be out May 9th!!!! PLUS, listen to my new song ‘Let Him In Anyway’ off the record now. I have been working on this music for years, and I’m beyond excited to finally share it with y’all!!”
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“Let Him In Anyway.” is written by HARDY, Zach Crowell and Jameson Rodgers.
“‘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.”
Shelton recently revealed his new album was finished.
“I don’t care who writes the songs,” Shelton shared on Audacy‘s Totally Private. “I don’t care where they come from. I just want to make the best record I can humanly make, whether I am a writer on it or it’s somebody I don’t know, or somebody that I hate wrote it, if it’s a great song, I don’t care. I want to make the best record that I can possibly make. That’s always my goal … For me, I feel like it’s my best foot forward, and I’m really excited about this particular project, because it’s been so long.”
See a track list for For Recreational Use Only 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)