"It’s Been A Long Time": Blake Shelton Unveils First New Album in Nearly Four Years

The saying goes that good things come to those who wait, and after nearly four years, country titan Blake Shelton is ushering in a brand new record.

After teasing a string of suspicious bright orange posts on his socials on Thursday, March 13, Shelton unveiled that his forthcoming album, For Recreational Use Only, will be arriving on May 9.

Marking his 13th studio album since bursting onto the scene in 2001 with breakout hits 'Austin' and 'Ol' Red,' For Recreational Use Only will mark the award-winning entertainer's first project on his new label home of BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville.

“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 shared in a statement. “Scott [Hendricks] and I have been working on this music for years, and I’m beyond excited to finally share it with the fans.”

Leading the way across the dozen tracks will be Shelton's breakthrough single, 'Texas,' which has already spent an astounding five non-consecutive weeks atop the UK Country Radio Airplay chart since its release in November of 2024.

His first release since departing longtime record label, Warner Music Nashville, and joining the ranks of BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville, the single embodies a new era for the tenured country star, who in the last two decades has achieved nearly 30 No. 1s and sold more than 13 million albums.

Excitingly, the album's second single also arrives with the new album news as the gripping 'Let Him In Anyway' is available everywhere now. Co-written by HARDY, Zach Abend, Kyle Clark and Carson Wallace, the ballad depicts a man hoping for divine forgiveness for a lost friend who was just shy of redemption.

“‘Let Him In Anyway’ is one of the most powerful songs I’ve ever had the chance to record,” Shelton explained. “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.”

Elsewhere, For Recreational Use Only will feature a trio of guest appearances from the likes of his wife and pop phenom Gwen Stefani and fellow country stalwarts Craig Morgan and John Anderson.

Shelton is currently on the road with his sold-out Friends & Heroes Tour, with shows lined up in South Carolina, Georgia, Maryland, Indiana and more through the spring. Along the way, he'll be joined by acts like Craig Morgan, Deana Carter, Trace Adkins and Emily Ann Roberts.

For the full For Recreational Use Only Tracklist, see below

1. Stay Country or Die Tryin’
2. Texas
3. Hangin’ On (feat. Gwen Stefani)
4. Strangers
5. Let Him In Anyway
6. Heaven Sweet Home (feat. Craig Morgan)
7. Life’s Been Comin’ Too Fast
8. Don’t Mississippi
9. All of My Love
10. Cold Can
11. The Keys
12. Years (feat. John Anderson)
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