Dan + Shay are readying new music for the first time since releasing 2021's "Good Things" album - so why the long absence? Fans will be relieved to know that the duo came thisclose to ending their musical partnership before deciding to continue on.
In a raw and emotional video posted to YouTube and Instagram titled "The Drive", the duo climbed back into their Ford Bronco to recount how they were at a point last year where they hadn't talked in four months - at which time they reunited to get in the car and drive, to hash things out, reassess where they were personally and professionally, and decide what the next step for them should be.
While Shay drove, Dan started the video by describing the crisis he was in: "I was in, like, the lowest low of my entire life...came off the road and I was like...'man, I f****** hate music.'"
The two talked about how, even though their career was skyrocketing, personally and professionally they were in a free-fall. Shay described how he was concentrating so much on music that friends, family - and Dan - were all being ignored as the career was everything. He also described how drinking became part of the equation.
In the 3 minute, 45 second clip, the two recount - and reinforce - how they got into music because it was part of who they were as friends - hanging out meant making music. The realization that their career was rooted in their friendship, and that was still important to both of them, led them to decide to start the next phase of their career - in a much better place - and remembering the joy that comes from making music together. And they say their new music - and the process of making it - changed their lives for the better. As to when the we get to hear it, that has yet to be announced officially - but yesterday Dan + Shay changed their profile picture on their social media platforms to a new image: It's a circle with their trademark "+" sign in the center, with a shot of the two performers sitting in the grass in the background.
They've also included the date "7.14.2023," along with a pre-save link which invites fans to hear "new music." No more concrete details on their next musical chapter or roll-out are available yet.
Heads up... there is some adult language in the first 5 seconds of the below video.