Hunter Hayes has spent his life making music that defies boundaries, and he’s only getting started. A multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, Hayes is recognized as one of the most versatile and respected artists of his generation. Across five acclaimed studio albums, he’s played nearly every instrument, written for icons like Rascal Flatts, toured with generational stars Taylor Swift, and shared stages with legends ranging from Stevie Wonder to Carrie Underwood. Known for his rare ability to craft songs that resonate across genres and generations, Hayes connects with listeners through a blend of unapologetic artistry, masterful musicianship, and profoundly human storytelling. Now, armed with his most sonically adventurous music to date, Hayes is ready for a new era, one that feels less like reinvention and more like arrival. Recorded mainly in his studio with close collaborators including producer Alex Flagstad, the forthcoming album captures the full scope of his creativity: songs that are as emotionally rich as they are musically daring, blending pop, soul, country, and indie influences into something unmistakably his own. Much of the material was recorded and written with a small group of collaborators, showcasing an artist fully in command of his craft and creating music that feels honest, joyful, and more grounded than ever. “This project is how my outlook has changed,” he proclaims. “The things I’m focused on and the things I’m doing to step forward are to create my own happiness.” A lifelong musician, Hayes’ journey began before most children start school. By the age of 4, he was performing on national television; by seven, he had played for President Bill Clinton at the White House. Signed to a major publishing deal at 17, he quickly established himself as a sought-after songwriter and performer, who captivated audiences with his engaging and authentic performances while earning industry acclaim with hits from his 2011 self-titled debut and 2014’s Storyline. His early success cemented him as an artist who has the rare combination of commercial appeal and musical depth, a through-line that has carried into every chapter of his career. In recent years, Hayes has embraced the freedom of working independently, returning to the spirit that fueled his earliest days. That same drive that once had a 10-year-old Hayes handing out flyers for his Branson, Missouri residency now sees him spending long days in the studio, experimenting like a scientist crafting the perfect formula. That spirit sparked the most prolific songwriting period of his life - music shaped by curiosity, resilience, and a deep trust in the connection he’s built with his fans. This new batch of songs reveals an artist comfortable living outside any single genre. Hayes weaves together threads of pop, country, R&B, and indie rock, with lyrics that explore personal growth, connection, and the search for joy. The buoyant “Around the Sun” radiates optimism. Born from a November 2024 solo writing session where Hayes set out to capture positivity instead of division. Continuing with his flurry of experimentation, “Every Piece” fuses vulnerability with a playful groove, and the infectious, radio-ready “Wait” captures the tension and grace of life’s uncertain moments. Every track carries the precision of a craftsman and the heart of a storyteller, reflecting a songwriter in constant evolution, who is never satisfied with his personal status quo and continues to create timeless music. Yet at its heart, the album contains the heart-on-his-sleeve lyrics that have made Hayes a relatable songwriter and continue to win new fans at every turn. For Hayes, this era is about more than sound; it’s about purpose. “I want the music to feel like free therapy,” he says. “Something that makes you feel better, more understood, more alive.” That mission, combined with his unmatched musicianship and unwavering curiosity, is what continues to make him one of the most compelling artists of his time. As he’s done since his first steps on stage as a toddler, Hunter Hayes evolves without losing the essence of who he is - an artist dedicated to the song, to the craft, and to the people who show up to listen.