Darius Rucker Readies New Album ‘When Was the Last Time’
Darius Rucker has announced his fifth solo country album. Bolstered by the Number One single “If I Told You,” When Was the Last Time will be released October 20th.
The LP is the follow-up to the Grammy-winning artist’s Southern Style, an album that Rucker says best represents his country music vision to date.
“Country music really came together for me on that record. I thought that was the one where we got it. I know what I want to do in country music right now and this is another step there,” Rucker tells Rolling Stone Country. “It’s a lively album, lots of upbeat stuff. My fans will be really happy and I hope to make some new fans too, because it’s a country record.”
That last part is especially important for Rucker, who released his Capitol Nashville debut Learn to Live in 2008. All four of his solo records have topped the county albums chart.
“This is country music and that is what I set out to do. I set out to make country records; I don’t want to make pop records,” he says.
The sentiment holds true for his singles as well. His new release to radio, “For the First Time,” has contemporary flourishes but is supported by a string-based backbone. “It’s produced and is what’s on the radio, but when you listen to the song, there’s the backbeat and the banjo going along,” Rucker says. “We loved that when we were putting it together.”
Earlier this week, Rucker announced his own sports talk show on SiriusXM. On Par With Darius Rucker will find the avid golfer discussing the game and how it intersects with life and music with fellow players. The first show premieres July 26th.