Jelly Roll is Releasing ‘Thorns’, His Tribute to His Wife Bunnie XO, Tonight

After teasing the track via socials late last month, Jelly Roll is releasing his brand new single, ‘Thorns’, at midnight tonight (February 12th, 2026). The soulful, heartfelt offering, which serves as a touching tribute to his wife, Bunnie XO, has already been made available to stream in New Zealand, where it has gone midnight.

‘Thorns’ finds the ’Need a Favor’ singer-songwriter expressing his deep-seated gratitude to Bunnie, with Jelly outlining in countless interviews how they started their relationship during a difficult period of time for him, where he was fighting for custody of his daughter, Bailee. Bunnie repeatedly stressed that, even if their romance didn't last, she would make sure he ended up with his daughter, regardless.

Across a pared-down, evocative instrumental, Jelly croons gently to his wife, “Every thorn has its rose / Every rough has a diamond / Every cloud I've ever know / Had the sun sunk right behind it / Every lost has a found / Look at me, girl, standing next to you right now / Thought I'd always be alone / But every thorn has its rose”.

In the original teaser, which served as a birthday post for Bunnie, Jelly movingly gushed, “Today we celebrate you, baby... A woman who spends her entire life celebrating everyone else. A woman who spends her every day encouraging and inspiring... A woman who stands up for and speaks for what’s right, even when it’s unpopular... A woman who is fearless... A woman who is bold... today we celebrate a woman that lifts other women up. It is said that we overcome by the blood of the lamb and the power of our testimony. I am so glad to see this woman share her testimony with the world. Meeting this woman was arguably the most life-changing moment I ever had. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me and our little family, you truly are the rock of this household-you are the single human that turns this house into a home... I love you endlessly, HAPPY BIRTHDAY”.

Elsewhere in the track, he credits Bunnie with saving his life, and proving to him that he wasn't as broken as he used to feel. ‘Thorns’ is expected to be the lead single from Jelly's eagerly anticipated new album, which is rumoured to be unveiled later this year.

In previous interviews, the genre-blurring trailblazer has hinted that he may be exploring a concept record. Given the way that Jelly is increasingly venturing into the Contemporary Christian Music space, we wonder if he's readying a full-blown Gospel album.

Although not containing overtly religious themes, the narrative of redemption and salvation that permeates ‘Thorns’ - as well as the fact that this imagery can be linked to Jesus’ crown of thorns - means this track would still fit on a faith-based record.

We'll have to wait and see, but after picking up a trio of Grammy Awards at the start of February, it seems Jelly is keeping the momentum high as he starts his next album rollout.

For more on Jelly Roll, see below: