Back in May 2019, Blake Shelton told ET he doesn’t like releasing albums anymore.
“I don’t want to put out an album. I really don’t,” he said.
Shelton said he has no problem releasing new music. In fact, he actually enjoys releasing new singles.
“I’ll be just as happy to release just another single,” he said. “…but when I think about an album right now I’m like, ‘Do people care about them anymore?’ I don’t know. But I’m having a blast just releasing singles. Maybe I’ll do that from now on.”
Despite everything he said, Shelton did release a new album in December 2019. Titled Fully Loaded: God’s Country, the album was a compilation, so it mostly contained songs Shelton had released in the past.
There were a few new tracks on the record, including a duet with Trace Adkins called “Hell Right” and a duet with Shelton’s now-fiancée, Gwen Stefani, titled “Nobody but You.”
The latter song went on to claim the #1 spot on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.
Since “Nobody but You” was released as a single in late 2019, the song remained popular throughout 2020. Shelton only released one new single in 2020, another duet with Stefani. The song, “Happy Anywhere,” also reached the #1 spot on the Country Airplay chart.
On New Year’s Eve, Shelton surprised fans by debuting a new song called “Minimum Wage.” The song was officially released as a single on January 15, 2021.
An even bigger surprise came along when Shelton told CMT’s Cody Alan he’s planning to release a new album…and soon!
“We will put out an album this year,” Shelton said. “I just like the idea of releasing a few singles, and this day and age, when somebody goes to buy an album, I want there to be several familiar songs on there already so that they feel like they are getting their money’s worth.”
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Shelton didn’t provide any further details about the new album, so fans will have to stay tuned to learn its title, release date, and track list.
The one thing we do know is that “Minimum Wage” is the album’s lead single. Check out its official music video below.
Whenever the project is released, it will be Shelton’s first new studio album since 2017’s Texoma Shore. We can’t wait to hear it!