If you had Keith Urban releasing a dedicated yacht rock album on your music bingo card for this year, it is time to collect your prize. The Grammy-winning country music superstar completely surprised the industry by revealing the details of his thirteenth studio album. Titled Flow State, the upcoming project is a sharp turn from his usual stadium country anthems, trading in the twang for breezy, coastal soundscapes.
Set to arrive on June 12th, Flow State is officially described as an easygoing seaside soundtrack. It promises to revive the laid-back, effortlessly smooth sounds of classic yacht rock, providing the ultimate backdrop for blending drinks and soaking up the sun. At 58 years old, Urban is proving he is entirely unafraid to step outside of his established genre boundaries to deliver exactly what he feels the world needs right now: pure, unadulterated good vibes.
A Musical Antidote to Modern Stress
The motivation behind Flow State is surprisingly poignant. During an era characterised by relentless news cycles and daily pressures, Urban deliberately sought out a musical project that would offer listeners an escape.
“The origins of this kind of music was, in certain ways, a reaction and an antidote to the stresses of the times,” Urban shared in his official statement. “Its sole mission is unchanged… to bring us together and remind us that life is happening right now, and we have far more in common than not. I hope wherever you hear this album you can feel the exhale, comfort and optimism these songs were originally written by and for.”
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What began as a lighthearted creative exercise quickly evolved into a fully realised album. Teasing the project to a very surprised crowd at the Country Radio Seminar in Nashville last month, Urban had to explicitly clarify that the thematic shift was not a joke.
The Tracklist: Familiar Favourites and New Classics
Co-produced alongside frequent collaborator Dann Huff, the 11-track collection features ten covers of iconic yacht rock staples and one brand-new original composition. Fans of the genre will immediately recognise the tracklist, which includes smooth renditions of “Baby Come Back,” “Just the Two of Us,” and “How Much I Feel.”
To bring the project to life, Urban recruited a stellar lineup of guest artists. Country vocal group Little Big Town provides harmonies on “Magnet and Steel,” while guitar virtuoso John Mayer lends his signature styling to “Guitar Man.” However, the true crown jewel of the album might be its sole original track, “We Go Back,” which features none other than the legendary Michael McDonald. For those eager to sample the new sound, “We Go Back” and a fresh cover of “Summer Breeze” are already available to stream.
Official Flow State Tracklist:
- Steal Away
- Baby Come Back
- Magnet and Steel (ft. Little Big Town)
- Just the Two of Us
- On and On
- We Go Back (ft. Michael McDonald)
- Help Is On It’s Way
- How Much I Feel
- Summer Breeze
- I Just Wanna Stop
- Guitar Man (ft. John Mayer)
Taking the Yachts on the Road
To support the release, Urban is gearing up for a massive string of live performances across North America. He will kick things off with a headlining appearance at the ACM New Wave: Country’s Beach Bash in Las Vegas on May 16th, before hitting major festivals and venues throughout the US summer.
There’s no doubt that Keith Urban’s Flow State is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing and relaxing releases of the year.
