Taking a bold next step after a remarkable series of early chart-toppers, MULTI-PLATINUM hitmaker Matt Stell gets honest for the first time as he goes far beyond Country’s three-chords-and-the-truth mantra with his debut album, Born Lonely, via RECORDS Nashville. Releasing June 7, pre-save/pre-add Born Lonely here.

“I couldn’t be prouder of Born Lonely,” admits Stell. “When I started writing these songs, I decided to tell the truth – the good, the bad, the fun, the sad, all of it – and see what happened. It turned into the best batch of songs I’ve ever recorded.”

A versatile artist with over half a BILLION global career streams and a reputation for powerful performances with a pair of co-written, consecutive #1s to launch his career – the 2X PLATINUM “Prayed For You” and PLATINUM “Everywhere But On” – Stell now joins the ranks of Country’s most-personal songwriters, following his 2023 EP One Of Us with a project steeped in revelation.

Featuring 10 tracks all co-written by Stell, Born Lonely is filled with self-searching anthems and saved-by-love balladry, the sonic fingerprint of a man shaped by his past. A guarded heart now fighting to open up and break a broken pattern from childhood, Stell embraces the tender side of masculinity, standing tall in the face of entrenched heartbreak, healing, and more. Digging deep into a life story of separation and loneliness, Stell finds a sense of peace through both music and love, then aims to help others do the same. First setting the tone with early releases like the warning-labeled single “Breakin’ in Boots” (currently Top 40 at Country radio), autobiographical title track “Born Lonely,” and the all-in “Take the Girl,” he puts his own inner turmoil on blast – along with the romantic havoc it creates. But underneath it all, each one reveals a man done with pushing the world away.

With production by Joe Fox and Chris DeStefano, a sturdy Heartland mix matches Country confession with Hard Rock muscle, as heavy drums and roaring guitars join quiet moments of clarity. Meanwhile, Stell wields his gripping vocal like a true craftsman, building each track with heartfelt blocks of small-town spirit. Finally understanding the tricks he’s used to avoid getting hurt, he grabs ahold of self-worth with damn-the-fear determination and soul-baring vulnerability, walking through artistic fire with intrepid bravery. After finally confronting his past, growth can begin.

MATT STELL’S BORN LONELY TRACK LIST

  1. “Built by Broken Hearts” (Matt Stell, Seth Alley, James McNair)*
  2. “Breakin’ in Boots” (Matt Stell, Nate Cyphert, Joe Fox, Ben Stennis)*
  3. “Born Lonely” (Matt Stell, Jake Mitchell, Benjy Davis)*
  4. “Girl Gets Gone” (Matt Stell, Joe Fox, Jordan Minton, Travis Wood)*
  5. “Into the Sunrise” (Matt Stell, Chris DeStefano, Kyle Sturrock)+
  6. “Smooth” (Matt Stell, Chris DeStefano)*
  7. “The Hard Stuff” (Matt Stell, Ray Fulcher, Jared Mullins)*
  8. “What We Do Best” (Matt Stell, Andrew DeRoberts, Jon Nite, Kyle Sturrock)*
  9. “Take the Girl” (Matt Stell, Chris DeStefano, Joe Fox, Nate Cyphert)+
  10. “One Cold Beer at a Time” (Matt Stell, Jaron Boyer, John Marlin)*

* Produced by Joe Fox

+ Produced by Chris DeStefano

Available today (5/10), Stell continues to bare his soul like never before in break-the-cycle anthem “Built by Broken Hearts” – and finds another one just like his in the process. Listen here. A self-searcher defined by reflection and romance, the heavyhearted mid-tempo stands as a tribute to the healing power of love, and for the need to know yourself. Co-written by Stell with Seth Alley and James McNair, it traces an adolescence spent bouncing between parents, and the resulting fallout of a time-hardened tough guy coming to terms with his lingering emotional scars.

Tender yet bold in the face of a true challenge, Stell’s stunningly honest lyrics describe the shocking ecstasy of meeting someone who actually understands, and his own determination not to run for fear of being hurt – a mistake he’s made too many times before. Produced by Joe Fox, a dragging rhythm captures the heavy struggle against years of engrained resistance, while Stell’s weary vocal summons the courage to fight back, leading a weathered yet sturdy Heartland Rock sound to rise up in defiance. Ultimately, Stell pulls a release of epic emotional proportion from somewhere deep within, finding the strength to finally let his guard down and let love in. Directed by Dustin Haney, watch the visualizer here.

Next performing ahead of the 59th Academy of Country Music Awards at the ACM Country Kickoff at The Star in Frisco, TX, on May 15, a limited number of tickets are available to fans here. Taking this new music to the stage with a slew of upcoming shows like CMA Fest 2024 on the Chevy Riverfront Stage in Nashville, TN, on June 6, find full ticketing information here.

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PHOTO CREDIT: DAVID MCCLISTER

RECORDS Nashville MULTI-PLATINUM artist Matt Stell has quickly made his mark on Country music as one of only nine new artists in the past six years to have consecutive #1s with two back-to-back chart-toppers: 2X PLATINUM “Prayed For You” and PLATINUM “Everywhere But On.” Speaking his truth for the first time in his autobiographical debut album, Born Lonely (RECORDS Nashville) releases June 7. Amassing over half a BILLION global career streams, he’s the first-ever artist to receive a virtual plaque from the RIAA for multi-week breakout “Prayed For You,” and is an ASCAP Pop and Country most-performed song awards winner. Stacking high-profile TV looks with Good Morning America, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Bachelor in Paradise, and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’s #LateShowMeMusic digital series, he’s also performed the national anthem for major NASCAR and NFL events. Playing his headlining THE MAN MADE TOUR 2022 to capacity crowds, he’s supported Miranda Lambert, Old Dominion, and Chris Young. With Billboard touting his “versatile” style, collaborations include his “One Of Us” remix featuring Chase Matthew, as well as having a guest spot on “When You Know” (Cheat Codes), “Over You is You” (Tenille Arts), and “Hometown Boys” (Dierks Bentley and HARDY). Launching Give A Damn Foundation in 2020, his charitable efforts have supported St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Doctors Without Borders, and the Humane Society, among others.

 

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Taking a bold next step after a remarkable series of early chart-toppers, MULTI-PLATINUM hitmaker Matt Stell gets honest for the first time as he goes far beyond Country’s three-chords-and-the-truth mantra with his debut album, Born Lonely, via RECORDS Nashville. Releasing June 7, pre-save/pre-add Born Lonely here. “I couldn’t be prouder...