Thomas Rhett debuted a heartfelt new single on Friday (May 10), co-written with inspiration from his wife.
Rhett released “Beautiful As You,” sharing the first impression of the singer-songwriter’s forthcoming era of music. He said earlier this week that he’s “absolutely stoked to kick off this new chapter… my favorite music yet.”
“This is an anthem for everybody who feels like they out-kicked their coverage,” Rhett said with a laugh as he spoke about the Julian Bunetta-produced song. “There was one day a couple years back when I was looking at my wife, and I was like, ‘Why in the world did you choose me?’ I get to be with someone who could easily be on the cover of a magazine, and I get to see her in all her forms – a partner, a mother, a friend, even a philanthropist. I just feel like I’ve got a first row seat at almost-perfection, if you will. And like the song says, ‘Seriously, what is somebody as amazing as you doing with somebody like me?’
“Lauren and I are just in a different phase of life than we have been for awhile,” explained the award-winning artist and father of four. “Now it’s a little easier to go on date nights, do stuff with friends, stay up a little bit later – I don’t know, maybe even sleep in a little bit! So much of my music is a reflection of the stage of life we are in - we’re in a very joyful season - and this song is just the tip of the iceberg to the rest of this next album.”
Rhett reflected on his career-spanning hits when he released 20 Number Ones in September 2023. He marked a decade in the music industry with the collection, which included “It Goes Like That,” “Die A Happy Man,” “Craving You” with Maren Morris, “Sixteen,” “Beer Can’t Fix” with Jon Pardi, “Be A Light” (featuring Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin and Keith Urban), “What’s Your Country Song,” “Half Of Me” featuring Riley Green and “Mamaw’s House” featuring Morgan Wallen, among many others.
Rhett’s latest full-length project is Where We Started, which released in April 2022. Since then, he’s hinted at his next chapter, including confirmation earlier this year that he’s been keeping busy at “rehearsal with the boys, finishing this album, headed out west for a week (sorry honey [Lauren Akins]). Might get a haircut? Playing some shows. Back at it, let’s go,” he wrote in a caption on Instagram. Some commenters wondered at that time whether Rhett was referring to his long-awaited Country Again Side B, following Side A’s debut in 2021. It wasn’t immediately clear, however, whether Rhett was hinting at Side B or announcing another project.
His seventh studio album is set to release on August 23.
Rhett will deliver the debut live performance of “Beautiful As You” live at the 59th ACM Awards on Thursday, May 16. The star-studded lineup also includes Post Malone, making his debut on the ACM stage, Parker McCollum, Kelsea Ballerini and Noah Kahan; Nate Smith and Avril Lavigne; husband-and-wife duo Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani, Jason Aldean, Kane Brown, Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Thomas Rhett, Chris Stapleton, and Lainey Wilson. Reba McEntire, who will return to host the show for the 17th time, will also perform “brand new music,” she previously confirmed.
The show is set to return to Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, the world headquarters of the Dallas Cowboys, leading up to the milestone 60th year in 2025. This year’s ACM Red Carpet will kick off at 7 p.m. EDT/6 p.m. CDT/4 p.m. PDT. The show is set for Thursday, May 16 at 8 pm ET / 5 pm PT.