Following the huge success of his new single, ‘Carry On’, on streaming and at Country Radio, Kenny Chesney has confirmed he's almost finished with his first album since 2024's BORN.

Upon its arrival earlier in May, ‘Carry On’ was added by all 158 Country Radio stations - a feat that has only been achieved twice previously, by Post Malone and Morgan Wallen with ‘I Had Some Help’ in 2024 and Garth Brooks with ‘Longneck Bottle’ in 1997.

Now, having dropped the sun-soaked music video for the uplifting, galvanising anthem, Chesney has confirmed he is currently working on the final mixes for his brand new album.

Rather than being the result of dedicated writing sessions, the ‘No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems’ hitmaker's next body of work has been curated over a lengthier period of time.

Chesney muses, “A lot has happened over the last year, but the truth is I’ve been collecting some of these songs for over a decade. I knew when we decided to do the next album, I wanted a record that leaned into being an album, not a concept, but a collection of songs that took you somewhere emotionally or mentally”.

Originally, Chesney was reportedly working on a songwriter-driven island project in the mould of Be As You Are (Songs From An Old Blue Chair) and Life on a Rock. But as the Knoxville native explains, ‘Carry On’ changed the direction of the record.

The ‘Take Her Home’ chart-topper muses, “I never stop listening, or writing, or recording. But a few of these songs started pulling towards each other – and this album started to take shape. When you’re competing with yourself, what you’ve already recorded, it sets a pretty high bar. I don’t think I realized how really strong this collection was until I stepped back and looked at everything we’ve got”.

Chesney reflects on how the process of crafting a new collection of songs compares to his recent experience co-writing his book, HEART*LIFE*MUSIC, with Holly Gleason.

He explains, “Unlike HEART*LIFE*MUSIC, there was no hard deadline. Now I feel like there is some real hunger for this music. The world is in such a divided place, I think music that brings people together, that reminds them of their actual feelings is what they’re looking for – and that’s always been what holds my music together”.

Although we'll have to wait for more details, it seems an announcement is imminent. In the meantime, Chesney offers a summery summary of what his loyal No Shoes Nation fanbase can expect from the eagerly anticipated album, “For anyone who’s looking to fill their days with light and joy, without pretending tough stuff doesn’t exist, this record’s gonna be for you! We’ve got all songs - I think - picked, and now it’s just a matter of making them sound as good as we can. It’s a lot of great guitars, different rhythms and pretty amazing songs from some of my friends, some emerging writers and a few of Nashville’s most iconic writers ever”.

It's hard to think of a better encapsulation of the spirit that drives No Shoes Nation than this: “Anyone who’s looking to fill their days with light and joy, without pretending tough stuff doesn’t exist”. Chesney's next chapter - his first release on Hey Now Records - will once again see him pushing himself artistically, while saying true to the refreshing joie-de-vivre that underpins his discography. The sun is shining, the beach is calling, and Kenny Chesney season is upon us.

For more on Kenny Chesney, see below: