Ryan Hurd Unveils "Paul." From New Album "Midwest Rock & Roll"
Ryan Hurd has released a captivating new track, "Paul," as part of his sophomore album, "Midwest Rock & Roll," which made its debut on March 21, 2025, via Big Machine Records. The song emerges as a spirited, Beatles-inspired creation, born from a memorable encounter with Paul McCartney at a Los Angeles gathering.
"Paul." features piano-driven melodies with Hurd reflecting on feeling out of place among music legends, even shouting out Foo Fighters Dave Grohl in the lyrics, adding to the song's charming, self-aware storytelling.
"Midwest Rock & Roll" represents a significant artistic evolution for Hurd, with 12 tracks co-written by the artist himself and produced by Aaron Eshuis. The album pays homage to Hurd's Midwestern roots, with the Michigan native sharing “I wanted to make an album that represented growing up in the North. Midwest Rock & Roll has songs about being cold, falling in love for the first time, leaving and chasing a dream and more.”
Other notable tracks on the album include "Single in the Same Town," "Youth," "This Party Sucks," and "Die For It," which was released as a single on February 7, 2025.
Before launching his solo career, Hurd established himself as a prolific songwriter in Nashville. He has penned numerous hits for country music's biggest stars, including Blake Shelton ("Lonely Tonight"), Luke Bryan ("Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset," "Waves"), Lady A, and the 7x Platinum anthem "Heartless" by Diplo and Morgan Wallen. His songwriting prowess earned him a publishing deal with Big Machine Music and multiple ASCAP Country Awards.
Hurd's transition from songwriter to recording artist began in 2017 when he signed with Sony Music Nashville. His debut album, "Pelago," released in October 2021, reached the top five of Spotify's most-streamed country albums. The album featured his breakthrough duet "Chasing After You" with then-wife Maren Morris, which earned them a Grammy nomination for Best Country Duo/Group Performance.
In October 2024, Hurd signed with Big Machine Records, marking a new chapter in his career. Throughout his career, he has amassed over one billion on-demand career streams and received numerous award nominations from the CMA, ACM, and CMT Music Awards, including two Grammy nominations.
As a performer, Hurd has toured with notable artists including Sam Hunt, Thomas Rhett, Darius Rucker, and Lady A, in addition to headlining his own shows. His live performances evolved from being part of a band to finding his voice as a solo artist, with Hurd noting that putting on an electric guitar that fit his body felt like "a missing piece".
With "Midwest Rock & Roll," Hurd continues to cement his place as a standout voice in contemporary country music, blending rock, country, and pop while delivering songs that feel both deeply personal and universally relatable.
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