Hunter Hayes Surprises Fans With New Album Release Date

Hunter Hayes gave fans a huge surprise Wednesday morning (Aug. 14) with the announcement this long-awaited new album will arrive this Friday, August 16.

The project, entitled Wild Blue (Part I), was originally slated to release in early October but plans changed when the singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist completed the project earlier than anticipated.

“So, we initially planned to perform on Today and announce our October album release, however, because the album was finished and because the fans were asking for more new music now, we wanted them to have it as soon as it was ready… and have it all, not just five or six songs,” he explained in a release.

Hayes revealed the news during his appearance on NBC’s TODAY where he also performed his current single, “Heartbreak” during the third hour of the popular morning show.

Wild Blue (Part I) finds Hayes rediscovering who he is as an artist and a man. The 10-track release was written and recorded during a transformative time in his life and the new music will reflect just that. The album is said to be the most “personal, reflective and vulnerable” album Hayes has ever released.

“Wild Blue,” the project’s title track, was the first song Hayes penned for the record and ultimately became an underlying theme for the album.  “As soon as we wrote ‘Wild Blue,’ I went into every conversation or co-write with that idea in mind and it led to some of the most honest realizations about myself and how I approach love and relationships,” he explained. “I’m so thankful for this journey and the path it’s set me on personally and professionally.”

Hayes recorded the Wild Blue in his home studio where he contributed Lead Vocals, Background Vocals, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Piano, B3, Bass Guitar, Strings, Banjo, Mandolin, Dobro, Drums, Programming and Resonator Guitar to the project.

The album, which is the first in a series of three, includes four previously-released songs: “Heartbreak,” “One Good Reason,” “Dear God” and “One Shot.”

Hunter HayesWild Blue (Part I) Track List:
1. Madness (Hayes, Sam Ellis, Sara Haze)
2. Wild Blue (Hayes, Troy Verges, Gordie Sampson)
3. Heartbreak (Hayes, Thomas “Tawgs” Salter, Gordie Sampson, Simon Wilcox)
4. One Good Reason (Hayes, Sam Ellis)
5. Dear God (Hunter Hayes, Andy Grammer, Dave Spencer)*
6. Loving You (Hayes, Jordan Reynolds, Dave Barnes)
7. My Song Too (Hayes, Jordan Reynolds, Dave Barnes)
8. One Shot (Hayes)**
9. Night and Day (Hayes, Derrick Southerland, Sam Ellis)
10. Still (Hayes, Troy Verges, Tommee Profitt)^
Produced by Hayes and Sam Ellis
* Produced by Hayes and Dave Spencer
** Produced by Hayes
^ Produced and Engineered by Hayes