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Kelsea Ballerini hinted at the release date of her upcoming album when she responded to a few questions on her Instagram story on Wednesday (July 10).
When one Instagram user asked whether the album would arrive before or after Ballerini’s birthday — September 12 — the singer-songwriter simply responded with constellations that represent Scorpio and Libra astrological signs. Libra falls between September 23 and October 22. Scorpio falls between October 23 and November 21.
Ballerini’s response narrows down the window of the timing of her forthcoming record. She previously said it’s expected sometime this year. The new album will follow Subject To Change, Ballerini’s latest full-length record that arrived in September 2022, and Rolling Up The Welcome Mat, a surprise EP and accompanying short film that made its debut on Valentine’s Day in 2023. The deeply vulnerable project shared Ballerini’s story of heartache and healing after divorce. She released an extended version, Rolling Up The Welcome Mat (For Good), several months later.
Now, the “If You Go Down (I’m Goin’ Down Too)” artist is getting ready to share an updated glimpse into her life with her next record. Ballerini said on the Grand Ole Opry stage in November 2023 that she’s “been singing about a chapter of my life that is far past me now [Rolling Up The Welcome Mat]. And I’m writing about the chapter of life that I’m in, and it looks very different… I really want to take the time to handle (the next album) with care.”
During that Grand Ole Opry performance, Ballerini welcomed songwriters Karen Fairchild and Hillary Lindsey to the stage to debut a heartfelt ballad they wrote together, “To The Men That Love Women After Heartbreak.” Ballerini said in an interview with Flaunt Magazine earlier this year that her new album will reflect “what it feels like to be falling in love and feeling a new level of safety” — amid her relationship with Outer Banks star Chase Stokes — and confirmed that the album is coming to life thanks to a team of “all women” working on it.
Ballerini teased details about the album during a recent rooftop show in Downtown Nashville, Tennessee, which included a Q&A hosted by her mom, Carla. Carla confirmed that there are “some incredible love songs,” on her daughter’s highly-anticipated project.
Most recently, Ballerini debuted “Cowboys Cry Too,” a duet with Noah Kahan. She said she’s “so proud and excited to release this first song in a new chapter of music.” Ballerini noted on her Instagram story on Wednesday that while she’s “proud of the entire next album, first lyric to last strum,” she pointed out a few tracks as personal highlights. Track 2 is “my personal favorite,” track 4 is “an emotional cornerstone,” and 9 is a “bop.” The full album is “honest, it’s musical, and it’s me right now in my life.”