Kelsea Ballerini Releases ‘Heartfirst’ Music Video, Teases New Album

Kelsea Ballerini brought her chart-climbing single, “Heartfirst,” to life with a colorful new music video.

Directed by Patrick Tracy from a treatment written by the ACM and CMA Award-winning songstress herself, the music video perfectly pairs with the song’s lyrics as it depicts the superstar taking risks in life and love.

The clip begins with Ballerini walking down the street and bumping into a handsome man. After their chance run-in on the sidewalk, Ballerini transports into a dream-like world where she envisions herself riding a rollercoaster through the clouds, rolling the dice on love, and climbing up a ladder through the clouds to heaven.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kelsea Ballerini (@kelseaballerini)

The video was released just as the song broke into the Top 30 at country radio. 

Upon its release to country radio in April, “Heartfirst” was the No.1 most-added track with 80 first-week stations adding the song to rotation. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kelsea Ballerini (@kelseaballerini)

“Heartfirst” combines ‘90s country elements with a pop-country melody, making for a radio-ready hit. 

The lyrics recount an unexpected meeting that leaves Ballerini feeling head over heels. While she admits it could ultimately be a short-lived romance, she decides to dive in “Heartfirst” to see what happens.  

“Could be forever or we might break/ That’s just the/ kind of risk that we take/ My head is yelling that I could get hurt/ But I’m gonna jump right in/ Baby, with my heartfirst,” she sings.

“It’s all about just following your heart (and) trusting your gut,” Ballerini explained. “I really believe that nothing great happens in life unless you take the risk and you take a leap of faith, and that’s what this whole song is about.”

Ballerini co-wrote “Heartfirst” with Karen Fairchild and Alysa Vanderheym. 

“We were all just talking about music that we’re inspired by right now, and wanting to write something upbeat, warm and free-feeling, and just being people who follow our gut and lead with our heart, and this is what we came up with,” she recalled of the day they wrote the song. 

“Heartfirst” is the lead single from Ballerini’s yet-to-be-announced new album. The superstar has been teasing the project on social media in recent days and promised that it’s “ready” and that additional information will be released “soon.” 

@kelseaballerini

Reply to @aaliyah_stoker12

♬ original sound – Kelsea Ballerini

As for the vibe of the album, the East Tennessee native says it’s heavily influenced by ‘90s country females and ‘90s music in general. 

The album will feature at least one special guest, according to Ballerini’s recent Instagram posts. Based on a recent photo shared by Ballerini, fans believe the guest is fellow country star Carly Pearce. Ballerini has yet to confirm or deny the predictions. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Country Now (@countrynow)

The upcoming album will serve as the follow-up to 2020’s kelsea, which produced hits such as “Half of My Hometown” featuring Kenny Chesney, “Hole in the Bottle,” and “Homecoming Queen.”