Thomas Rhett's Tribute To His Wife Offers Unexpected Twists, Vibrant Energy

Thomas Rhett compared the anticipation of releasing his seventh studio album to having “a ring in my pocket ready to propose.”

Fittingly, About A Woman serves as a tribute to Rhett’s wife, Lauren Akins . The country star met his wife when the two were in elementary school. Thy dated briefly in high school, and remained close friends until they rekindled their romance a few years later. The couple tied the knot in October 2012, and have since welcomed four young daughters, Willa Gray (8), Ada James (7), Lennon Love (4) and Lillie Carolina (2). Akins wrote in the caption of a celebratory Instagram post on Friday morning (August 23): “I’m so proud of you, honey. Happy release day!! This album is pure JOY. We love you so much!!!”

Rhett said when he announced About A Woman earlier this year that he aimed “to exude joy and fun…and really just make people move.” He said he dove into the album-making process with “a fearless attitude,” and created a collection that’s “about one woman, my wife, and it gave me an opportunity to say ‘I love you’ in a lot of different ways.” Ahead of About A Woman ’s release date, Rhett debuted “Beautiful As You,” “Overdrive,” “Gone Country” and “After All The Bars Are Closed.”

Now, listeners are digging into the new tracks on Rhett’s long-awaited album. About A Woman opens with a vibrant, dance-worthy anthem and continues with bright energy throughout the 14 tracks, blending ‘80s-reminiscent beats into Rhett’s signature country sound. Rhett co-wrote 12 of the 14 tracks on the album, including some many with clever lyrics and storylines (nods to Eric Church hits in “Church,” “Back To Blue,” “Somethin’ ‘Bout A Woman,” a Dwight Yoakam - and Elvis Presley -channeled honky tonk anthem titled “Boots,” an unexpected Whitney Houston incorporation in “Don’t Wanna Dance,” and more).

1. Fool

2. Overdrive

3. Gone Country

4. Beautiful As You

5. Can’t Love You Anymore

6. After All The Bars Are Closed

7. Church

8. Back To Blue

9. Country For California

10. Somethin’ ‘Bout A Woman

11. What Could Go Right

12. Boots

13. Don’t Wanna Dance

14. I Could Spend Forever Loving You

Rhett recently surprised an intimate audience in Nashville, Tennessee , following an album preview hosted by iHeartRadio’s Wayne D , who noted that Rhett penned more than 100 songs while working on his new album. Listen to Rhett’s exclusive performance and Q&A session with Bobby Bones by tuning into the iHeartCountry Album Release Party with Thomas Rhett . it will be broadcast on iHeartCountry stations at 7 p.m. local time on Friday, August 23, in celebration of Rhett’s album release. Fans can tune in to their local iHeartRadio stations for more information on preview parties and chances to win exclusive experiences from their favorite artists, per a previously-issued press release.

Rhett is one of many artists taking the stage at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Festival , returning to the T-Mobile Arena stage on September 20 and 21 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Other artists in the genre-spanning lineup include Big Sean , Camila Cabello , Doja Cat , Gwen Stefani , Hozier , Keith Urban , New Kids on the Block , Paramore , Shaboozey , The Black Crowes , Victoria Monét , and more. Ryan Seacrest will host the two-day festival. Tickets are available to the general public now on AXS.com .

Find Rhett’s full About A Woman album here . Listen to some of the tracks below.

“Fool”

“Beautiful As You”

“Church”

“Back To Blue”

“Somethin’ ‘Bout A Woman”

“Boots”

“Don’t Wanna Dance”