Keith Urban Announces His Long-Awaited New Album “High”

It seems like forever since we heard a new album from Keith Urban.

His most recent album, The Speed ​​of Now: Part 1was released in September 2020. Over the past year, he has teased songs from his upcoming album, releasing Straight linethe current radio single I’m a messand his collaboration with Lainey Wilson, Coming home WU.

Today, Urban released another single, Wild sideand announced that his long-awaited new album, Highwill pass by EMI Friday, September 20.

About Wild side: Urban’s latest single is a party song loosely based on Joanne CusackThe character in the beloved 2003 film School of rock.

He explained in a press release: “She’s a school principal by day, all wise and distinguished. And then, a few tequilas at night, anything is possible.”

You can consult Wild side below.

High was born out of an “earlier record,” with Urban abandoning a previous project he found “musically limiting” in 2022 and going somewhere different.

“At the time, I was on tour. I would do a show, I would go back to Nashville to record, I would do a show and I would come back to record, and again,” he explained. So I thought I’d call the album 615. This would keep me on track, focused and disciplined.

However, “there was no continuity. The songs didn’t work well together. I learned that what I thought was a framework in which to create turned out to be musically limiting.

On Instagram, he added: “This album is the result of a previous album I started in 2022. It’s 40 minutes long from start to finish, and it’s completely expressive, true, honest and much more in line with what I wanted to say when I made this abandoned record. I hope these songs bring you joy, lightness, new understanding, energy and escape!”

Urban says his latest album is inspired by “living in the moment” and finds its culmination – “a place of utopia” – in his family, friends and musical journey.

“I’ve always been drawn to the theme of living in the moment, because that’s all there is, and it’s hard to do,” Urban said. “And these days, with so much ‘content’ coming at us, it can sometimes feel like we’re drinking from a fire hose.”

“What gets you high can mean whatever you want,” he added. “It can be physical, spiritual, herbal, meditative, chemical or musical, but it is definitely a utopian place. »

He continued: “For me, it’s my family, my friends and this musical roller coaster journey that I’m on. Playing guitar, writing songs and the place where I always feel good: playing live. Every evening, I have the chance to bring energy and relaxation to people. »

You can pre-order/pre-save High here.