Jake Owen Promises To Showcase The ‘Best Version’ Of Himself On Forthcoming New Album, ‘Loose Cannon’
The project’s lead single, “On The Boat Again,” is off to a running start at Country radio.
Jake Owen; Photo by Daniel Chaney
It’s been over four years since Jake Owen released a full-length studio album. In that time, the Florida-born singer has experienced a lot of life: he welcomed his second daughter into the world, got engaged to Erica Hartlein, earned a few No.1 singles, and continued to tour constantly. His journey and the life lessons he learned during this time will be reflected on his just-announced seventh studio album, Loose Cannon, set for release on June 23.
Owen says the 16-track project “feels like the best version” of himself. The album highlights his growth as an artist and person but also remains true to who he was when he packed up his bags and moved to Nashville in 2003.
“I think whoever you are, no matter what artist there is out there, you always want to grow with yourself and put out music that exposes your growth. But they’re lying if any artist tells you that they don’t want to always be the kid that they were at heart when they drove to town,” Owen recently told Country Now and other outlets ahead of his performance at Live in the Vineyard Goes Country in Napa Valley, California.
Ahead of the June 23 release, the Florida native shared four new tracks: “Hot Truck Beer,” “Solo, Solo,” “Nothing,” and his brand-new single to Country radio, “On The Boat Again.”
“Hot Truck Beer” opens the album with a nostalgic look back at life. “it’s basically, I don’t smoke and I don’t drink. I did back then, but I wouldn’t change the thing about the fact that I did,” Owen said.
The single, “On The Boat Again,” interpolates Willie Nelson’s “On The Road Again” into the chorus, giving new life to the familiar country track.
“On the boat again/ I just can’t wait to get on the boat again/ The life I love is drinking cold beer with my friends/ I can’t wait to get on the boat again,” he sings.
As someone who is known for feel-good summertime anthems like “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” and “Beachin’,” the song fits seamlessly into Owen’s wheelhouse. It officially shipped to Country radio on Tuesday and earned a whopping 67 first-week adds.
“One thing that I think I’ve missed over the last few years is not giving Country radio the songs that they really like. I think they’re waiting for me to give them another Summer Jake Owen song that feels good that they, they’re like, ‘yes, this is you,’” he explained. “And so that’s kind of what ‘On The Boat Again’ is. And it’s something that I think is fun and you can’t take it so seriously. That’s why people have a good time listening to it. And I think too, that’s why I’ve been excited and happy about putting out music is because if you don’t take yourself so seriously, you can have a lot more fun.”
Plus, as Owen pointed out, it’s a way to “get Willie paid” as he’s credited as a songwriter on the track.
While Loose Cannon has its lighthearted moments, there will also be times when Owen dives into deeper subject matter.
“I find happiness in the brighter side of life. So I’ve never enjoyed making darker music, but I do find when I listen to songs that I record that have a darker undertone or an honesty to the dark side of my life, they really resonate very much,” he shared. “And so there’s a song on the record called ‘When It All Shakes Out’ that I’m excited about. It’s like, ‘can you shake the hand of the man you’re going to be when it all shakes out?’ We’ve all got rights and we’ve all got wrongs and things that we’re not proud of, but at this moment, if it was this is it, could you look at the man in the mirror and be okay with who you are?”
He recalled immediately falling in love with the Jacob Davis, Jordan Dozzi, and Josh Jenkins-penned tune.
“The first mini half of the first verse of the song explained my whole career,” he explained. “My dad and my mom have always been in my ear. They’ve always been there. But also, there’s been a devil too on the other side of it. Not from like, doing bad things per se but the guy that’s like, ‘You don’t have to do this.’ The person that you meet in the middle of the parenting and the negative influence, whoever this person is, is who you choose to be. So that’s what you have to be.”
With Loose Cannon dropping in less than a month, Jake Owen is hitting the road in full force and will preview new music along the way. He’s set to appear at several fairs and festivals throughout the summer. Click HERE for a complete list of upcoming tour dates.
LOOSE CANNON TRACKLIST
- “Hot Truck Beer” (Jordan Fletcher, Jim McCormick, Austin Nivarel)
- “Go Getter” (Brent Cobb, Jake Mitchell, Aaron Ratiere)
- “Solo Solo” (Ashley Gorley, Ben Johnson, Blake Pendergrass, Hunter Phelps)
- “On The Boat Again” (Willie Nelson, Devin Dawson, Kyle Fishman, Rocky Block, Blake Pendergrass)
- “Hearts and Habits” (Thomas Archer, Jamie Moore, Jared Mullins, Ben Stennis)
- “When It All Shakes Out” (Jacob Davis, Jordan Dozzi, Josh Jenkins)
- “Hope Less” (Jared Mullins, Ben Stennis)
- “It Don’t, He Won’t and You Do” (Jordan Dozzi, Justin Ebach, Chase McGill)
- “Friends Don’t Let Friends” (Jessie Jo Dillon, Hunter Phelps, Ben Stennis)
- “Boy In The Chevrolet” (Ashley Gorley, Taylor Phillips, Bobby Pinson)
- “Shrank” (Lalo Guzman, Walker Hayes, Hunter Phelps)
- “Nothing” (Dallas Davidson, Kyle Fishman, Earle Hagen, Reid Haughton, Herbert Spencer, Cole Taylor)*
- “Somewhere South With Rum” (Jacob Davis, Jordan Davis, Josh Jenkins, Matt Jenkins)
- “The Ending” (Rodney Clawson, Luke Laird, Chris Tompkins)
- “Hey Can I Buy You A Beer” (John Byron, Rocky Block, Travis Wood)
- “Loose Cannon” (Matt Roy)
All songs produced by Joey Moi
* co-produced by Kyle Fishman
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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