Ashley Cooke is ushering in a fresh and more self-assured chapter with her self-titled sophomore album ashley cooke, set for release on August 14 via Big Loud Records.

Building on the momentum of her 2023 debut shot in the dark—which featured the gold-certified “never til now” and the No. 1 hit “your place”—the new 15-track project shows a more introspective, creatively grounded version of the rising country artist.

Cooke describes the album as a deeply personal body of work shaped by real-time experiences. “This record feels like a coming-of-age record disguised as a relationship album. I wrote a lot of it dead in the middle of real-life situations where I learned quite a bit about myself, so you’re getting the real, unpolished, recently-realized-truths in 15 tracks,” shares Cooke. “It’s messy, self-reflective, indecisive, filled with honesty, double entendres and emotional duality (I’m a Gemini, duh). Overall, it’s my perception of love and allllll the chaos it entails.”

The project features contributions from Liz Rose, Lori McKenna, and Ashley Gorley, with production from Dann Huff and instrumentation from players like Ilya Toshinskiy.

Leading the rollout for the album is the new track “High School Sweetheart,” written by Cooke, Boy Matthews, Cleo Tighe, Lauren Hungate, and Afterhrs. The album also featuring standout songs including“Baby Blues,” the rising radio single “The Hell You Are,” and “Xs,” released earlier this year.

Beyond the album, Cooke is preparing for a busy season ahead, including co-hosting and performing at ACM Next Wave: Country’s Beach Bash on May 16 at Mandalay Bay Beach in Las Vegas alongside Flatland Cavalry, Tucker Wetmore, Braxton Keith, and others. She’ll also hit the festival circuit this summer, including a set at Hoofbeat.

Presave the album ashley cooke: HERE.
Stream “High School Sweetheart” – HERE.

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