Charles Kelley “The Driver” Tracklist & Cover Art

With nine tracks, The Driver is set to be one of 2016’s early critical curiosities as the talented Grammy-winning singer/songwriter embarks on his solo career while Lady Antebellum takes a break. The album, which explores new sounds that are different from the material from his career with the band. Working with Paul Worley, the band’s early collaborator has helped shape The Driver with a blend of new, interesting sounds.

"At first, it was really weird to go in the booth and be like, ‘Where’s Hillary? Where’s Dave?’ But it was very exciting to be the leader in there and go, ‘This is it, I’m doing this,’” Kelley shared. "It was the most fun I’ve had in the studio, because everything felt new again. It took me out of my comfort zone."

Thrilled with the first studio go-round, Kelley and Worley made plans to reconvene a few months later, where they came out with “Dancing Around It,” adding a shot of sexiness into the mix. The second session also included “Leaving Nashville,” an emotional powerhouse of a song about the ups and downs, heartaches and disappointments, of life as a songwriter. Three final songs were cut later in the year, which added to the album’s moody feel and personal focus. “Round in Circles,” marks the first time that Charles and his brother, Josh Kelley, recorded together since Josh’s early work. THE DRIVER also benefits from an appearance by Miranda Lambert on the textured “I Wish You Were Here” and the very last song recorded, “The Only One Who Gets Me,” which is the fist time Kelley has written a song specifically for and about his wife, Cassie.

“While so many of these songs are something I specifically can relate to, it really is all of our story,” added Kelley. "It is a pure musical left turn, to take myself out of my own head and bring in a fresh perspective when we go back in to make the next Lady Antebellum record.”