Draft:Welcome to the Plains
| Welcome to the Plains | |
|---|---|
| Studio album by | |
| Released | October 18, 2024 |
| Genre | |
| Length | 53:08 |
| Label | Island |
| Producer | Beau Bedford |
| Singles from Welcome to the Plains | |
| |
Welcome to the Plains is the debut studio album by American country music singer-songwriter Wyatt Flores. It was released on October 18, 2024, via Island Records and was produced by Beau Bedford.[1] The album was preceded by the lead single "Don't Wanna Say Goodnight", and subsequent singles "Oh Susannah", "Little Town", and the title track. It features 14 tracks, all of which were co-written by Flores, which detail his musical journey from his native Stillwater, Oklahoma, his life on the road, and explore themes of home, family, and the search for happiness.
Flores embarked on the Welcome to the Plains Tour in autumn 2024 in support of the album, beginning in Oklahoma City and concluding in Tulsa. The trek includes two nights at both Nashville's historic Ryman Auditorium, and Oklahoma's Cain's Ballroom. He will also support Luke Combs at this The Gorge Amphitheatre in October 2024.[2]
Background
[edit]Prior to the release of the album, Flores released three extended plays, The Huston Sessions, Life Lessons, and Half Life, between 2023 and 2024. The album was officially announced on August 30, 2024, alongside the release of "Don't Wanna Say Goodbye". In a statement following the announcement of the project, Flores explained “it’s an album about home and a search for happiness. It’s an album about Stillwater, Oklahoma, and all the other little towns that have raised people like you and me. It’s an album about my family, and the people and places in my life who have defined who I am today. This album is happy on one side and heartbreak on the other, and whoever you are, I hope you find something you love in here.” The album was recorded between Los Angeles and Asheville, and the majority of the songs were written in May 2024 during a two-week trip with producer Bedford.[3]
Flores discussed the album with Rolling Stone and his headspace while making the project, which followed a hiatus that he took from performing to focus on his mental health in February and March 2024.[4] He explained that his songwriting process has evolved in light of the break, noting that “on the writing side, I’m not as hard on myself. I felt a lot of pressure from people telling me I was a good writer, and I was like, ‘I don’t think I am! I look up to my heroes, and I can’t write like them. I’m not good enough.’ It's a lot of self-sabotage, and I’ve been able to take that weight off of myself”, and adding that “I couldn’t believe the songs that I had written. I finally started writing happier songs. There’s still some heartbreak on there, but I just couldn’t believe that I actually had love songs.”[5]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Welcome to the Plains" | 3:44 | |
| 2. | "When I Die" |
| 3:42 |
| 3. | "Oh Susannah" |
| 4:04 |
| 4. | "Only Thing Missing is You" |
| 3:43 |
| 5. | "Don't Wanna Say Goodnight" |
| 3:24 |
| 6. | "Habits" |
| 2:58 |
| 7. | "Right Here with You" |
| 4:04 |
| 8. | "The Truth" |
| 5:03 |
| 9. | "Forget Your Voice" |
| 3:54 |
| 10. | "Angels Over You" |
| 3:47 |
| 11. | "Little Town" |
| 3:38 |
| 12. | "Stillwater" |
| 3:50 |
| 13. | "Falling Sideways" |
| 3:41 |
| 14. | "The Good Ones" |
| 3:31 |
| Total length: | 53:08 | ||
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2022) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Americana (OCC)[6] | 40 |
References
[edit]- ^ Daykin, James (April 26, 2024). "Wyatt Flores announces new album 'Welcome to the Plains'". Entertainment Focus. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
- ^ Hollabaugh, Lorie (July 17, 2024). "Wyatt Flores Plots 'Welcome To The Plains Tour' For Fall". MusicRow. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
- ^ Bolwell, Richard (September 2, 2024). "Wyatt Flores Announces Deubt Album 'Welcome To The Plains' and Shares News Single 'Don't Wanna Say Goodnight'". Entertainment Focus. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
- ^ Hudak, Joseph (February 19, 2024). "Wyatt Flores Cancels Shows, Says He's 'Struggling With the Feeling of Feeling Nothing'". Rolling Stone Country. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
- ^ Crutchmer, Josh (September 3, 2024). "Wyatt Flores Can't Be Your Savior. He's Barely Saving Himself". Rolling Stone Country. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
- ^ "Wyatt Flores - Official Charts Company". Official Charts.