Colby Acuff Previews Upcoming Album With Two New Standout Tracks, “His Song” & “Her Song”

After the timely release of “Average American” on the 4th of July and “Love Was Just a Feeling” back in August, Colby Acuff announced on Tuesday that his sixth studio album, Enjoy the Ride, is coming out on October 3rd.

It should go without saying that any time an artist like Acuff announces a new album, there should be an immense amount of hype surrounding the release. With Enjoy the Ride, however, it has all the makings of being one of the most unique and ultimately moving country albums of all time. Instead of going for your standard record or even a double album, Acuff decided to do something even more ambitious: produce an LP based on 40 interviews with average Americans across the country.

“I’m so happy to announce my new record Enjoy the Ride, an 11-song project that was made by you. After interviewing 40 random strangers off the street from three different cities, I wrote an 11-song concept record that hopefully lets you know that you’re not alone.

This album taught me that everyone wants the same outcome, even if we don’t agree on the path. Life isn’t always perfect, but you only have one so enjoy the ride.”

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In a video attached to the album announcement, he would dive deeper into his perspective on making an album like this. Noting the response many had to American Son, the 28-year-old singer/songwriter wanted to give listeners a record that truly reflected their lived experiences:

“After we made ‘American Son,’ I set out on a writing journey where I really wanted to write songs that every single song gave people a ton of agency. And I wanted to write songs truly just for you, the listener. And I wanted to make a record for you, the listener. And I found that the best way I knew how to do it with 100% to make sure I knew it was for you, was I needed to go out and talk to people.”

In addition to the album announcement, Acuff also gave fans a teaser of what’s to come with the release of two new songs today: “His Song (What’s A Man Supposed To Be)” and “Her Song (Numb to Everything).”

Discussing “His Song,” the Idaho native would note that he was inspired by the complicated nature of being a young man these days, focusing on all the pressures that come with manhood:

“His Song (What’s A Man Supposed To Be)” is my personal favorite on this record. It’s one of my favorite songs I’ve written. Essentially, I feel that all the pressures of the world can really be hard for men, especially young men. I feel it a lot of days as well. At the end of the day, it’s okay to be you. It’s okay to have your own journey and understand that your life is important. Life isn’t a race, it’s an experience.”

And he really nails it on the head here. In today’s ever-changing world in regards to gender roles and masculinity, Acuff ponders whether he should do things that are not traditionally associated with being a man, such as therapy and actually talking about his feelings. It’s one of those songs that feel less like a cohesive story and more like a peek inside the curtain of his psyche as he grapples with, well, what a man is truly supposed to be.

As for “Her Song,” Acuff wanted to focus on a character who is fearlessly themselves. After writing “His Song,” he quickly realized that he needed a companion piece featuring a contrasting character:

“Her Song” is such a special one. After writing “His Song,” I realized I needed two songs to describe the two characters of this work. “Her Song” introduces a girl who has true freedom. She is truly herself and she just wants the world to inspire her for once. A testament of being fearless and letting your own person shine. I think this album taught me that everyone wants the same outcome, even if we don’t agree on the path. Life isn’t always perfect, but you only have one so enjoy the ride.”

What results is a perfect contrast to “His Song.” There’s still a tangible amount of angst in the song, thanks in part to the tagline, “Numb to Everything.” However, Acuff balances it out with some fun, tongue-in-cheek lines creating the character. From her affinity for astrology to her love of black cats, it feels like you know this person by the time the track’s three minutes are over. Again, he paints a picture of someone who feels like you or someone you know personally.

Overall, Acuff has proven once again that he’s not making songs for money or fame; he’s writing to make an impact on people’s lives. There’s no glitz or glam here, just real stories about real human beings trying to find their place in the world. It seems like the new buzzword in country music these days is “authenticity,” and you won’t find stories more authentic than these right here.

“His Song (What A Man Supposed To Be)”

“Her Song (Numb To Everything)”

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