Keith Urban unleashed a vibrant, energetic anthem to offer the first impression of his forthcoming record. “Straight Line” arrived on Friday (February 2), after the global hitmaker posted a few teasers on his social media channels throughout the week.
Urban said in a statement that he’s “jonesing to share” his next album. “Straight Line” — which he wrote with Chase McGill, Jerry Flowers and Greg Wells, and co-produced with Wells — is the first track he opted to release from the project because, among other reasons, “I think it represents an energy and spirit that became a through line of the whole record. I’m gonna cover a lot of themes, emotions and vibes on this album but a very human spirit runs through them all.” The upbeat anthem aims to “break out of a soul-sucking routine,” and inspires listeners with “a message of feeling alive again...”
“‘Straight Line’ is the perfect first track off my album because it’s a song born of wanting to break out of routine and feeling like somewhere along the line, life lost some color and excitement – ‘You and me used to be like a year-round summer…’ This song is about getting it back again – a message of taking back your life and driving out from under the dark cloud. If you’ve seen us in concert, I hope this track gives you that same liberated feeling,” Urban said in a statement shared by his record label. “While ‘Straight Line’s’ lyrics are about being stuck and trying to break out of the monotony, the melody and energy are a boulevard of nothing but green lights. Every song on this album – even the ballads – carries an energy and a life force that became a very strong through line. I hope you feel it. I’m so excited for everyone to hear the whole thing.”
It wasn’t immediately clear when Urban would announce more details about his album; however, his fans appeared eager when he posted “Straight Line” teasers on his social media channels throughout the week. He confirmed the title of the song and its release date on Wednesday (January 31).
Urban’s latest full-length project was THE SPEED OF NOW Part 1, which released in September 2020. The 16-track album included “Out The Cage” with Nile Rogers and Breland, “One Too Many” with P!nk and “We Were” with Eric Church, among other highlights. Recent singles from Urban include “Wild Hearts,” “Nightfalls,” “Brown Eyes Baby” and others, and he joined fellow The Voice coach Rita Ora on “Shape Of Me.” Listen to “Straight Line” here: