On Friday, June 20, 2025, the country music world was gifted a collaboration that no one saw coming but everyone needed: Blake Shelton, the Oklahoma-born titan of country music, teamed up with Noah Cyrus, the GRAMMY-nominated artist and youngest sibling of Miley Cyrus, for a heart-stirring duet titled “New Country.” This country-tinged ballad, a standout track from Noah’s forthcoming sophomore album I Want My Loved Ones to Go With Me, is a testament to overcoming life’s obstacles, with Shelton and Cyrus harmonizing in a way that feels both timeless and fresh. From their shared history on The Voice to this unexpected musical partnership, their journey to “New Country” is a story of authenticity, resilience, and the power of music to bridge generations and genres. 🤠🎶

Blake Shelton, 49, is no stranger to the spotlight. With a career spanning over two decades, 28 number-one hits, and a charismatic presence as a coach on The Voice for 23 seasons, Shelton has become a household name in country music. His recent album, Heartland Revival, released just days before “New Country,” reaffirmed his ability to blend heartland grit with universal storytelling. Noah Cyrus, 25, is a rising star in her own right, known for her emotive vocals and genre-blending style that has oscillated between indie-pop, folk, and now, a bold embrace of her country roots. Together, their collaboration on “New Country” marks a pivotal moment for both artists, showcasing Shelton’s enduring influence and Cyrus’s evolution as a songwriter and performer. 🌄

The seeds of this duet were sown in 2016 and 2017, when Shelton coached alongside Noah’s older sister, Miley Cyrus, on The Voice. While Noah was not a contestant, her family’s presence in the music industry and her own budding career likely kept her on Shelton’s radar. Fast forward to 2025, and Noah, now fully immersed in her country era, knew exactly who to call when crafting her new album. “When I realized I was making a country record, just ‘Blake Shelton, Blake Shelton, Blake Shelton,’” she told a crowd at CMA Fest earlier in June, her excitement palpable. “Something kept telling me get in touch with Blake Shelton.” That instinct led to “New Country,” a track that not only features Shelton’s signature harmonies but also serves as a sonic stamp of approval from one of country’s biggest names.

“New Country,” released on June 20, 2025, is a country ballad that begins with a lone acoustic guitar, setting a contemplative tone before Noah’s smoky, supple voice enters. Shelton joins her in the chorus, their voices intertwining in a seamless blend of grit and grace. The song’s lyrics paint a vivid picture of resilience: “This is walking through a wildfire / This is learning how to live and not just stay alive / This is high stakes that you might lose / But when you know there’s nothing to go back to, then you have to find a new country.” These lines, delivered with raw emotion, speak to the universal experience of forging a new path in the face of adversity—a theme that resonates deeply with both artists’ personal journeys. 🎵🔥

For Noah, “New Country” is a declaration of independence. Born in Nashville and raised in a family steeped in country music—her father, Billy Ray Cyrus, is a country legend—she has long tiptoed around the genre. Her 2022 debut album, The Hardest Part, leaned into indie-pop and singer-songwriter vibes, but recent performances, like her duet with Midland at Stagecoach and her set at CMA Fest 2025, signaled a shift. “It’s a song about finding a new place in life, about walking on your own two feet, and realizing that change is the only thing that’s constant,” Noah said of “New Country.” “The only way out is through.” Shelton’s involvement, she noted, was a “co-sign” of her authenticity as a country songwriter, a validation that carries weight in a genre that values heritage.

Shelton, for his part, brings a seasoned perspective to the track. His career has been marked by reinvention—navigating the highs of chart-topping success and the lows of personal challenges, including his high-profile divorce from Miranda Lambert and his marriage to Gwen Stefani. His harmonies in “New Country” add depth, grounding Noah’s introspective lyrics with a warmth that feels like a comforting friend. Fans on X praised the duo’s chemistry, with one user calling their harmonies “incredible” and another noting, “Their voices blend so beautifully together.” The song’s release sparked a wave of excitement online, with #NewCountry trending and fans sharing the official visualizer, which features sweeping landscapes and intimate studio footage of Noah and Blake.

The collaboration is a cornerstone of Noah’s upcoming album, I Want My Loved Ones to Go With Me, set for release on July 11, 2025, via RECORDS/Columbia Records. Co-produced by Noah, Mike Crossey, and PJ Harding, the album is a moody, dynamic exploration of Americana, indie folk, and country, featuring guest artists like Ella Langley, Fleet Foxes, and Bill Callahan. Another highlight is “With You,” a track written by Billy Ray Cyrus and recorded for the first time, adding a personal touch to Noah’s country homecoming. The album’s immersive sound, with pedal steel, banjo, and acoustic guitars framing Noah’s voice, positions “New Country” as a perfect introduction to her new era.

The timing of “New Country” aligns with a busy period for both artists. Shelton’s Heartland Revival launch on June 20 featured a historic performance with Stefani and Lambert, a moment that dominated headlines. Yet, his willingness to collaborate with Noah underscores his commitment to mentoring the next generation of country artists, much like he did on The Voice. Noah, meanwhile, is gearing up for a North American headline tour, kicking off July 11 at The Ford in Los Angeles and including a stop at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on October 15. The tour, announced alongside “New Country,” promises to bring her new country sound to fans across the continent.

The duet also reflects broader trends in country music, where genre boundaries are increasingly fluid. Noah’s transition from pop to country mirrors moves by artists like Post Malone and Beyoncé, who have recently embraced the genre. Shelton, a traditionalist at heart, has long championed authenticity while remaining open to cross-genre collaborations, as seen in his work with Stefani and now Cyrus. Their partnership on “New Country” bridges old and new, with Shelton’s classic country feel complementing Noah’s modern, introspective style. Critics have praised the track’s organic instrumentation and emotional depth, with Billboard noting its potential as “an enduring classic.”

For Noah, the collaboration is deeply personal. In interviews, she has spoken about struggling to trust her own creative choices, a theme echoed in “New Country.” “I had to learn how to make decisions for myself and make that transition into adulthood,” she told her mother, Tish, on the Sorry We’re Cyrus podcast. The song’s narrative of finding a new place in life resonates with her journey of self-discovery, amplified by her connection to her late horse, Constantine, whose spirit inspired the album’s visuals. For Shelton, the song aligns with the redemptive themes of Heartland Revival, making their duet a natural fit.

Fans have embraced “New Country” with fervor. On X, one user described it as “different but really good,” while another highlighted the “guitar in this song” as a standout feature. Blake himself shared his enthusiasm, posting, “Thanks for having me on this one buddy!!! Y’all go listen now!!!!” Noah responded with a heartfelt message, thanking Shelton for joining her. The song’s visualizer, released on YouTube, has garnered thousands of views, with fans praising its cinematic quality and the duo’s evident rapport.

As “New Country” climbs the charts, its impact is undeniable. For Noah, it’s a bold step into a genre she was born to embrace, backed by a country icon who believes in her vision. For Shelton, it’s a chance to lend his voice to a new generation while staying true to his roots. Together, they’ve crafted a ballad that speaks to anyone who’s faced life’s wildfires and emerged stronger. As Noah prepares to take her country sound on tour and Shelton continues to dominate the genre, “New Country” stands as a beacon of hope, harmony, and the enduring power of music to heal and inspire. 🌾🎙️