Kane Brown Takes a Bold Step Forward with His New Album, The High Road — A Journey of Experimentation and Personal Growth
By Maria Sherman
Updated: April 5, 2025
Kane Brown has come a long way from his early days of rising stardom, and as he sits down in his new home studio near Nashville to discuss his latest album The High Road, it’s clear that he’s reflecting on the journey that’s brought him here. His fourth studio album, which drops on January 24, is a culmination of years of hard work, collaboration, and — most importantly — experimentation. For Brown, the title The High Road speaks to the path he’s taken and the risks he’s embraced.
Recently, Brown was in Los Angeles, performing at the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball alongside an eclectic lineup of artists, from K-pop sensation NCT Dream to the iconic T-Pain. While some might find it unusual to see a country artist like Brown sharing the stage with pop acts, it’s nothing new for him. Mixing genres is something that has become a hallmark of his career.
“Country has always been at the heart of what I do,” Brown says. “But with The High Road, I pushed myself to explore new sounds. I was always nervous about stepping out of my comfort zone, but after almost a decade in this business, I realized it was time to stop hiding and just do what feels right.”
He reflects on how his approach to this album differs from previous ones. “In the past, I would worry about how people would perceive my music. But this time, we gave it our all — no holding back. We just did what we love.”
Brown’s ability to work across genres is evident in the collaborations featured on The High Road. From the Latin-infused “The One (Pero No Como Yo)” with regional Mexican country star Carin León to his ongoing partnership with electronic music producer Marshmello, who returns with “Miles On It,” the album is a testament to Brown’s versatility. This record boasts more collaborations than any of his previous albums, with notable appearances from Khalid, Jelly Roll, and even country legend Brad Paisley.
“These collaborations just felt natural,” Brown says. “Khalid reached out about wanting to try a country song, so we made it happen. As for Brad Paisley, when I posted a video of me singing ‘Things We Quit’ on social media, people started saying it sounded like something Brad would sing, and I agreed. It’s got that fun, playful country vibe that he’s perfect for.”
A standout moment in the album comes with “Haunted,” a track featuring Jelly Roll. The song’s inspiration struck while Brown was staying at a hotel in Manchester, England, where he had a suite that was once a bank vault. The eerie atmosphere of the room led to the creation of a song about mental health and depression.
“We wrote the song quickly, and it turned out to be something really special,” Brown says. “Jelly Roll is the perfect fit for that song. He’s so open about mental health, and I think that made it mean even more to him than it did to me.”
The album also features two duets with Brown’s wife, Katelyn. Following the success of their 2023 hit “Thank God,” the couple continues to share their musical journey with two very different tracks: the sensual R&B vibes of “Body Talk” and the heartfelt country ballad “Do Us Apart,” which draws on the timeless tradition of country duets.
“We’ve always loved songs like Randy Travis and Carrie Underwood’s ‘I Told You So,’ so this was our chance to create something in that vein,” Brown explains.
As for the rest of the album, it’s a mix of familiar country storytelling and new sounds. There’s the upbeat “Fiddle in the Band,” the reflective “Backseat Driver,” and the emotional “When You Forget,” a song Brown wrote about his grandfather’s battle with Alzheimer’s. “That one’s a real throwback to ‘90s country — just pure storytelling,” he says.
For Brown, The High Road isn’t just an album; it’s a reflection of his growth as an artist. “Each song tells a story, and I hope people can find a little piece of themselves in at least one of them,” he says.
Brown is preparing for his upcoming North American tour, where he’ll share The High Road with fans across the continent. As he continues to push boundaries, Kane Brown remains true to his roots while embracing the exciting possibilities ahead.
Tracklist for The High Road:
“I Am”
“Fiddle in the Band”
“Backseat Driver”
“Miles On It” (featuring Marshmello)
“Says I Can”
“3”
“Rescue” (featuring Khalid)
“Haunted” (featuring Jelly Roll)
“Start A Fire”
“Body Talk” (featuring Katelyn Brown)
“Gorgeous”
“Beside Me”
“I Can Feel It”
“Things We Quit” (featuring Brad Paisley)
“Back Around”
“Stay”
“Do Us Apart” (featuring Katelyn Brown)
“When You Forget”
Video
https://apnews.com/video/kane-brown-marshmello-brad-paisley-country-music-a1462ede8a074d93bdda81bd430c1203