Country newcomer and 19 Recordings/BMG artist Colin Stough reached a milestone that was once just a pipe dream, releasing his debut EP, Promiseland on Friday (Oct 20).
A heady collision of grungy Southern Rock and pure-Country style featuring six fresh tracks – with all but one co-written by Stough and produced by the likes of Alex Maxwell, Sean Rogers, and Austin Shawn – helps introduce a Mississippi-born vocal flamethrower and guitar slinger with a true underdog story.
Just 19 years old and coming off a standout third-place finish on Season 21 of American Idol in 2022, Stough was still in high school until last year and had been working full-time as an HVAC technician after graduation. But once his mother convinced him to audition for Idol, that life became history.
Now based in Nashville, and mixing a freight train of full-bodied vocal rasp with a down-home blend of Hard Rock and twang, his debut EP marks the culmination of a whirlwind journey – and the start of an exciting new chapter.
“This EP represents who I am and where I’m from,” Stough says. “It speaks to my life these past few years and has become a source of comfort for me. Maybe that’s why I called it Promiseland. I hope it can be that for you, too.”
Along with preparing for the release of Promiseland, Stough has spent 2023 headlining shows across the nation, while also supporting fellow rising star Kidd G and Country-Soul troubadour Drake White. A series of previous singles have so far racked up more than 9.4 million global on-demand streams, with ”Til the Day One Does’ on deck.
A brooding ballad of romantic longing wrapped in dark Western sonics and Stough’s blowtorch vocal, the low-down anthem co-written by Stough alongside Geoff Warburton, Gavin Lucas, and Austin Shawn is all about an on-the-run loner who may be hard to love – but nevertheless, holds his head high. Crunchy guitars, banjo, and whispering steel set the stage for what’s to come.
"This song is badass, man. It just feels cool, like something you’re supposed to drive around and listen to," Stough explains. “It touches on the fast lifestyle that I’ve been forced to become adjusted to – but also, it hints at an ability to change. Something that I think we all have to do and can relate to."
Colin Stough’s Promiseland EP Track List:
1. “Promiseland” (Colin Stough, Alex Maxwell, Dawson Edwards)*
2. “Lonely Hour” (Colin Stough, Sean Thomas Rogers, Ryan Waters)+
3. “‘Til the Day One Does” (Colin Stough, Geoff Warburton, Gavin Lucas, Austin Shawn)^
4. “If Not for Me” (Jamie Hartman, Charles Kelley, Sam Roman)+
5. “Shoulda Called Her” (Colin Stough, Rob Ragosta, Frank Romano)+
6. “Sleep Tonight” (Colin Stough, Sean Thomas Rogers, Brian Congdon)+
* Produced by Alex Maxwell
+ Produced by Sean Rogers
^ Produced by Austin Shawn
Looking ahead, the promising young talent will continue to lead his band on stages all around the country, while building a network of Nashville-based songwriting collaborators and more. As his career heats up, check back for additional updates to come.