Fast-rising country star Ashley Cooke is stepping into a defining new era with the announcement of her self-titled sophomore album ‘ashley cooke,' arriving August 14 via Big Loud Records. Following the success of her 2023 debut ‘shot in the dark,' which delivered the GOLD-certified ‘never til now' and No. 1 hit ‘your place,' this next chapter finds Cooke more self-assured, introspective and creatively in control than ever before.
Described by Cooke as “a coming-of-age record disguised as a relationship album,” the 15-track project leans into the messy, complicated reality of love and self-discovery. Written in real time as life unfolded, the album captures what she calls “unpolished, recently-realised truths,” blending emotional duality with sharp songwriting and a distinctly sun-soaked, coastal country sound. That breezy aesthetic—rooted in her beachside upbringing and a love of ’90s country cool—runs throughout the record, with production from industry heavyweights including Dann Huff and contributions from top-tier writers like Liz Rose, Lori McKenna and Ashley Gorley.
Leading the charge is new single ‘high school sweetheart,' a jangly, feel-good track that pairs shimmering guitars with a sharp-tongued look at someone stuck in the past. It joins fan favourites including ‘baby blues,' a No. 1 on SiriusXM’s The Highway Hot 30 Countdown, the radio-climbing ‘the hell you are,' and the punchy March release ‘xs.' Together, they paint a picture of an artist fully owning her voice: confident, candid and unafraid to explore the contradictions of modern relationships.
With major appearances lined up, including “ACM Next Wave: Country’s Beach Bash” alongside acts like Flatland Cavalry and a packed summer festival schedule, Cooke’s momentum shows no signs of slowing. If her debut introduced her as one to watch, ‘ashley cooke' looks set to confirm her as one of country’s most compelling new voices.
