Carly Pearce Reflects On The Last Chapter Of Her Life On New EP, '29'

Carly Pearce is reflecting on the highs and lows of the last year of life on her new album, 29, due out on February 19,

The upcoming project will feature a collection of seven songs, showcasing the emotional journey she's been on following the death of her producer Busbee in 2019, as well as her divorce from Michael Ray in 2020.

"Losing busbee was a jolt, he was my champion before anyone believed," Pearce said in a promo video for 29. "Then came the divorce, something I never saw coming. In that grief, I started swimming to save myself from the sadness, then realized I've found something even deeper. 29 came from that recognition."

"I got back to myself, to my roots, to my truth, and then the songs just kept spilling out," she continued. "I was so excited that I wanted to share them with you. To introduce you to who I've always been, and who I am as an artist, a person and a woman who understands. I am Carly Pearce, this is 29."

Pearce, who worked on the album with Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne, says the new songs "measure the realizations, hopes and letting go that comes with becoming an adult in full."

"Losing Busbee was such a moment of upheaval. He had believed in me… carried me… brought me through everyone getting deals around me… because he knew something I couldn't see: that it would happen," Pearce said in a press release. "And then as we're doing Lee Brice's vocal on 'I Hope You're Happy Now,' he has that first seizure, and my creative world started to unravel. It's scary being out there on your own, and I think the response to the song… going platinum, being nominated for Song of the Year… That was a little bit of him telling me to stand tall, to walk forward, to know my life and my writing would carry my voice and my dream forward."

In addition to McAnally and Osborne, Pearce's new album also features songs written by Jordan Reynolds, Emily Shackelton, Sarah Buxton, Matt Ramsey, Jimmy Robbins, and Ben West. Pearce's latest single "Next Girl" will be featured on the new album along with a tribute she wrote for Busbee called "Show Me Around."

"The best songs come from the moment, from real creative spark – and Josh and Shane bring it out of me. I was unsure where my music would be without Busbee," Pearce continued. "They both know where my musical heart is, and they understand how to capture exact details for much larger truths. The more specific they write, the more people I think can see themselves in the songs."

29 follows Pearce's self-titled second studio album released in February of 2020.

Carly Pearce, 29 Tracklist:

1. “Next Girl” | Carly Pearce, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne

2. “Should’ve Known Better” | Carly Pearce, Jordan Reynolds, Emily Shackelton

3. “29” | Carly Pearce, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne

4. “Liability” | Carly Pearce, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne

5. “Messy” | Carly Pearce, Sarah Buxton, Jimmy Robbins *

6. “Show Me Around” | Carly Pearce, Emily Shackelton, Ben West

7. “Day One” | Carly Pearce, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, Matthew Ramsey

produced by Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne

* produced by Jimmy Robbins

Photo: Getty Images