Blake Shelton and Noah Cyrus may come from different corners of country music, but when the two artists came together for a new duet, the result was something that has fans talking across the genre. Their haunting, heartfelt collaboration, “New Country,” released as part of Noah’s second studio album I Want My Loved Ones To Go With Me, is quickly becoming a standout hit — and a defining moment in both artists’ careers.
For Noah Cyrus, the youngest in a famously musical family, music has always been in her blood. With her father Billy Ray Cyrus shaping the landscape of ‘90s country and her siblings scattered across acting and pop music, Noah has carved out her own path. Her 2022 debut, The Hardest Part, received praise for its emotional depth and genre-blending sound. But her latest album sees her lean more intentionally into her country roots — and collaborating with Blake Shelton felt, as she put it, “like a God thing.”
The moment she heard the track, Noah explained, she knew it belonged to Blake. “It was like a spiritual thing, written in the stars,” she told the LA Times. “Blake’s voice… it was already in my head before I asked.” The pair recorded “New Country” with quiet intimacy, blending Noah’s ethereal tone with Blake’s rugged resonance. The result is a modern country ballad steeped in nostalgia — and fans can’t stop streaming it.
Alongside the album drop, the duo surprised fans with a stripped-down music video that showcases the emotional chemistry between them. Set against a dusty backdrop and golden hour skies, “New Country” feels more like a shared memory than a song. The video quickly racked up views on YouTube, with comments like, “This is country music done right,” and “I never thought I’d hear Noah and Blake on the same track — but I’m so glad I did.”
Blake’s history with the Cyrus family runs deep. Long before Noah stepped into the studio, her father Billy Ray Cyrus had given Shelton some hard-hitting advice early in his career. Recalling his nerves before his first televised performance at the CMA Awards, Blake said Billy Ray told him, “Even if you do great, most people in this business will roll their eyes. You gotta toughen up.” Shelton added with a laugh, “I don’t think he remembers saying that, but it stuck with me forever.”
That early advice seems to have come full circle. With “New Country”, Blake and Noah are blending the grit and wisdom of country’s past with a modern vulnerability that resonates with fans old and new. And with her star continuing to rise, Noah is proving she’s not just Billy Ray’s daughter or Miley’s sister — she’s a compelling artist in her own right.
As for Blake, his fans say this is one of his most moving performances in years. Perhaps it’s the simplicity. The sincerity. Or maybe it’s just what happens when two artists meet right where they are — in grief, in love, and in new country.
