Life Is a Highway: Refueled Duets is the upcoming eleventh studio album by American country music trio Rascal Flatts. It will be released on June 6, 2025, through Big Machine Records. This is their first studio album in eight years and first since their breakup in 2021. In honor of their 25th anniversary, the album will feature nine re-recordings of some of their past hits with nine other artists. The album also features a new song, "I Dare You" featuring the Jonas Brothers, which was released as the lead single on January 31, 2025.
Background
In January 2020, Rascal Flatts announced a farewell tour to celebrate their 20th anniversary. The tour ended up being canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1] In October 2021, Gary LeVox confirmed the band's breakup.[2] In October 2024, the band announced that they would reunite to celebrate their 20th anniversary with a tour in 2025. In January 2025, Rascal Flatts said that they were working on new music, and on January 31, released a new single, "I Dare You" featuring the Jonas Brothers. [3] On March 6, 2025, they announced the album. According to Joe Don Rooney the project took about five years.[4]
To celebrate their 25th anniversary, the album will also feature nine re-recordings of some of their past hits. Artists featured on the re-recordings are Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, Carly Pearce, Kelly Clarkson, Backstreet Boys, Brandon Lake, Lzzy Hale, Ashley Cooke, and Jordan Davis.[5]
Composition
The first track, "I Dare You", is a new original song featuring the Jonas Brothers. Written by Nick Jonas, Shay Mooney, Dewain Whitmore Jr., and Tommy English, it is described as a country pop song. It was produced by English, Jay DeMarcus, Dann Huff, and Jeremy Hatcher. The song is about love and heartbreak. [6] The last track, "I'm Movin' On" features Kelly Clarkson. Produced by DeMarcus, Clarkson is the featured lead on the song until the bridge when Gary LeVox takes over. Rascal Flatts sings harmony all throughout the song.[7]
Release and promotion
Life Is a Highway: Refueled Duets will be released on June 6, 2025, by Big Machine Records. The album is being supported by the Life Is a Highway Tour.
Singles
"I Dare You" featuring the Jonas Brothers was released as the album's lead single on January 31, 2025.[8] The song has reached number 24 on the US Country Airplay chart, and number 31 on the US Hot Country Songs chart.[9][10]
"I'm Movin' On" featuring Kelly Clarkson was released as a promotional single on March 14, 2025.[11]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I Dare You" (with Jonas Brothers) |
| 3:48 | |
| 2. | "Fast Cars and Freedom" (with Jason Aldean) | |||
| 3. | "My Wish" (with Carly Pearce) | |||
| 4. | "Mayberry" (with Blake Shelton) | Arlos Smith | ||
| 5. | "Stand" (with Brandon Lake) |
| ||
| 6. | "Summer Nights" (with Ashley Cooke) | |||
| 7. | "What Hurts the Most" (with Backstreet Boys) |
| ||
| 8. | "Yours If You Want It" (with Jordan Davis) |
| ||
| 9. | "Life Is a Highway" (Lzzy Hale) | Tom Cochrane | ||
| 10. | "I'm Movin' On" (with Kelly Clarkson) |
| DeMarcus | 3:44 |
Personnel
Rascal Flatts
- Jay DeMarcus – bass guitar (1), background vocals (1, 10), producer (1, 10)
- Gary LeVox – lead vocals (1, 10)
- Joe Don Rooney – background vocals (1, 10), electric guitar (1), lead guitar (1)
Vocals
- Jason Aldean – lead vocals (2)
- Backstreet Boys – lead vocals (7)
- Kelly Clarkson – lead vocals (10)
- Ashley Cooke – lead vocals (6)
- Jordan Davis – lead vocals (8)
- Lzzy Hale – lead vocals (9)
- Joe Jonas – background vocals, lead vocals (1)
- Nick Jonas – background vocals, lead vocals (1)
- Brandon Lake – lead vocals (5)
- Carly Pearce – lead vocals (3)
- Blake Shelton – lead vocals (4)
Musicians
- Tommy English – keyboard (1)
- Paul Franklin – steel guitar (1)
- Dan Huff – bouzouki, electric guitar, mandolin (1)
- Nick Jonas – keyboard (1)
- Kevin Jonas – electric guitar (1)
- Rob McNelley – electric guitar (1)
- Shay Mooney – electric guitar (1)
- Jerry Roe – drum kit (1)
- Ilya Toshinskiy – acoustic guitar (1)
Production
- Derek Bason – additional engineering (1)
- Drew Bollman – recording (1)
- Andrew Boullianne – recording, second engineering (1)
- Austin Brown – recording, second engineering (1)
- Tommy English – additional engineering, producer (1)
- Sean Giovanni – additional engineering
- Mike Griffith – production coordinator (1)
- Jeremy Hatcher – additional engineering, producer, programming (1)
- Dann Huff – producer (1)
- David Huff – digital editing engineering, programming (1)
- Jase Keithley – mixing, second engineer (1)
- Joe LaPorta – mastering (1)
- Sean Moffitt – mixing (1)
- Chris Small – digital editing engineering
References
- ^ Reuter, Annie (January 7, 2020). "Rascal Flatts Announce 2020 Farewell Tour, Promise New Music". Billboard. Retrieved March 7, 2025.
- ^ "Gary LeVox says that Joe Don Rooney quit the band". Taste of Country. October 8, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2025.
- ^ "Rascal Flatts team with Jonas Brothers for I Dare You". The Music Universe. January 31, 2025. Retrieved March 7, 2025.
- ^ Brooks, Nancy (March 17, 2025). "Rascal Flatts Explains Duets Project Time Span". Country 103.7. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
- ^ Paul, Larisha (March 6, 2025). "Rascal Flatts Recruit Backsteet Boys, Kelly Clarkson, Jonas Brothers For Duets Album". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 7, 2025.
- ^ Nicholson, Jessica (January 31, 2025). "Rascal Flatts, Jonas Brothers Team Up For Heartbreak Anthem 'I Dare You'". Billboard. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ^ "Rascal Flatts Release "I'm Movin' On" With Kelly Clarkson From Life Is A Highway: Refueled Duets". Big Machine. iHeartMedia, Inc. March 14, 2025. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
- ^ Kaplan, Ilana (January 31, 2025). "Rascal Flatts Teams Up with Jonas Brothers for Heartbreak Anthem 'I Dare You' — Listen!". People. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
- ^ "Country Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
- ^ "Hot Country Songs". Billboard. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
- ^ https://open.spotify.com/track/53IX4MOIyOZQnKy6a3JnaX?si=633f8f67dcf04cf9
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