Dustin Lynch Reflects on Love, Heartache and New Beginnings on New ‘Clean Slate’ Album

Fifteen years into his career, Dustin Lynch feels he has evolved as an artist and has discovered a renewed creative energy, which he has channeled into the making of his seventh studio album. As its title suggests, the project reflects the “clean slate” that the singer is stepping into in life and in his music.

“I feel like I’m brand new again, and we had a blast writing this album,” Lynch admitted in an interview with the Grand Ole Opry.

Across 12 tracks, listeners will hear Lynch in his new era as he explores the ups and downs of life, from falling in and out of love to searching for a new perspective and moments of peace amid the chaos. The album brings together songs that resonated with Lynch personally and reflect different parts of his life.

“It’s really about what songs moved me…what songs that I found myself going back to and continue to listen to and relating to in my personal life. And that’s how we ended up with these 12,” he added.

The project opens with “Made In A Bottle,” a true honky-tonk anthem about trying to drink away the pain of lost love. As the heartbroken narrator makes his way from one bar to the next, he discovers that nothing can truly fill the sadness and numbness left by a failed relationship.

That theme of heartbreak continues into songs like “Talkin’,” and “One Tennessee,” as the character at hand tries to figure out how to move forward with his life. Lynch takes a different path while highlighting the wisdom of those who came before him on “Old Man Knows.”

He admits the powerful tune stands out as one of his favorite lyrical moments on the project, as it was inspired by conversations with his grandfather and father, as well as the lessons he has picked up from artists he admires throughout his career.

“I just love that this song is real. We’ve been playing it around a little bit, and I’m loving the connection and all the stories that are coming with ‘Old Man Knows,’” he shared.

There are also moments where the Tennessee native explores the possibility of reconnecting with someone from the past. On “How You Been,” Lynch teams up with Ashley Cooke for an upbeat duet that finds both acts recounting the memories that have resurfaced from an old flame. The two trade perspectives which leaves them both wondering if their past connection could be rekindled.

Lynch views the track as “chapter 2” of his four-times Platinum hit “Thinking ’Bout You,” offering another look at what can happen when someone from your past finds their way back into your life.

“I’m so happy to finally have a song out with Ashley. She sounds incredible on ‘How You Been,’ and from the first time I heard it, it felt like the perfect song for us to do together,” Lynch shared in another statement. “To me, it feels like chapter two of ‘Thinking ’Bout You.’ It’s that idea of reconnecting with somebody from your past and realizing those memories might still mean something to both of you. Ashley brings so much personality to her side of the song…”

Somewhere along the way, the project shifts the focus towards the future. “Built Us A Life” finds Lynch dreaming about and manifesting what life could look like if he were to fall in love, get married and start a family with someone. Meanwhile, on the title track, he reflects the questions that come with entering a new stage of life and deciding what he wants that next chapter to look like.

“‘Clean Slate’ is the foundation for this album. That’s why I named the album Clean Slate. It’s a song that hit me right in the gut when I heard it the first time. I was actually in my kitchen at the house, and I just love the message behind this song. It really centers me, and I hope it gets out there and finds some other folks that need to hear it as well.”

Finally, Dustin Lynch also closes Clean Slate with “Home To You,” a collaboration with MC4D that bridges the gap between his authentic country songwriting and the sound he’s been experimenting with in the Country EDM space.

“The MC4D boys brought this song in that they’re really excited about and we put our heads down and came up with such a fun track to play live and it’s a great country lyric that what they do so well is bringing into the dance world,” he explained.

While Clean Slate covers a range of topics and showcases the powerful songwriting that has defined Lynch’s career, it’s clear that he is excited to continue growing as a musician and is ready to see where life and his music take him next.

Lynch will celebrate the release of the project with a surprise pop show tonight, Oct. 30, at the Stage in Nashville at 7pm.