Corey Kent Teams Up with Lauren Alaina for New Duet, ‘Now or Never,’ Ahead of Upcoming Album

Sony Music Nashville artist Corey Kent joins forces with Lauren Alaina on the track, “Now or Never,” which is set to appear on his upcoming album, Black Bandana. 

The fresh release, penned by Geoff Warburton, Ryan Hurd, and Sam Ellis and produced by Chris Farren, highlights the strength it takes for one to finally put their foot down in a relationship that’s full of empty promises. Even though it’s clear the person at hand has such a strong love for their other half, they are tired of being unhappy and feeling as though those emotions aren’t being reciprocated. 

“Your headlights might as well be taillights/ And your hellos might as well be goodbyes/ ‘Cause your sunsets never turn to sunrise/ Been down this road way too many times/ Promises in the sheets, ones that you never keep/ Maybes and somedays are starting to get to me,” Kent sings in the opening verses. 

Fed up with the disappointment, he decides to give his partner an ultimatum that will determine whether he can finally let go and move on for good or attempt to reconcile their differences.

Kent channels the influence of ’80s rock anthems from his childhood to craft a powerful ballad, featuring intense instrumentals that echo his and Lauren Alaina’s urgent longing to resolve the tension between the two lovers in the story.

“You say you want me when you need me, but you’re still on the fence/ If I’m the only one that’s seeing you and me in the end/ Baby, break my heart and get it over with/ Love me now, love me now, or never again/ Or never again.”

The Oklahoma native, who is now based in Dallas, couldn’t have picked a better counterpart to put this story on display. Alana’s soaring vocals light a fire in the harmonies created alongside Kent, making “Now Or Never” a song that fans are guaranteed to be playing on repeat. 

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How Alaina Ended Up On The Song

While speaking about the collaboration with Country Now, Corey Kent disclosed that it was not supposed to be a duet, however after several listens, he saw the opportunity to bring on a female vocalist. 

“We spent maybe six months not putting a female on this song because we just didn’t have the right person, the right fit. And to me, it was really important that we found somebody that was great live because that’s my background is live music. I grew up playing Western swing music in a band from age 11 to 16. The reason I play music is because I fell in love with playing live music. So it was important to me that whoever this was, was incredible live.”

He found exactly what he was looking for while playing a radio event at Billy Bob’s Texas. There, the “Wild As Her” singer met for the very first time and remembers being instantly impressed by her talent on stage. 

“I heard her sing live for the first time and she was incredible. She’s so powerful, has so much control and great tone and great pitch and cool style, just checked all the boxes,” he gushed. “Immediately I was just floored and the next day I texted her and said, ‘hey I got this song I’d be honored if you featured on it’ and she immediately responded and was like, ‘I’m in.’”

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“She Added A Lot To The Song”

Once they got into the studio together, any concerns were thrown out the window and Kent knew he had made the right decision to bring Alaina on the track and she shared the same excitement to work with him. 

“I think there was just this mutual respect for each other and the craft that we’ve both been working on and the work that we’ve put into what we do. She got in the studio and absolutely killed it. It was so fun to watch her. She’s such a pro in the studio. She’s so good, has great instinct, and she added a lot to the song…I think it’s going to be a big song for both of us,” he added. 

“I am so excited to be a part of this song with Corey,” Alaina shared in a recent release. “I think the message is super powerful. It’s okay to love someone and take a stand for yourself when needed. I am honored Corey asked me to be a part of it. I can’t wait to see where the song takes us.” 

Sophomore Album Dropping September 6

“Now Or Never” gives fans another look into the platinum-selling artist’s upcoming project, following “Never Ready,” “Rust,” and “This Heart.” 

Black Bandana is set for release on September 6 while his headlining international tour of the same name launches on September 21 in Paso Robles California.

The Oklahoma native will be joined by Braxton Keith, Kaitlin Butts, Max McNown, Karley Scott Collins, and Lauren Watkins on select dates of the run that takes place across both the U.S. and U.K.