Bailey Zimmerman has teamed with renowned producer Diplo on a brand new anthemic track, titled “Ashes.” The uptempo song will be included on the Illinois native’s highly-anticipated upcoming album, Different Night, Same Rodeo, out on August 8 via Atlanta Records/Warner Music Nashville.
A high-energy summer banger, “Ashes” focuses on a pair of old flames, whose romance just hasn’t quite burned out. Throughout the catchy tune, the country star uses specific fire-related imagery to describe how two people’s passion for one another continues to flicker on, with both parties consistently gravitating toward one another despite the notion that their relationship is doomed.
“We’re just an old flame, burnin’ at both ends / Sour mash barrel baby, when the match hits / Only thing I don’t know is how the hell we ain’t ashes / You burn me, I burn you / Quicker than the cold liquor we burn through / I bet the damn devil himself is askin’ / How the hell we ain’t ashes,” Zimmerman belts out, showcasing his signature vibrato on the lyrics of the track.
Sonically, the tune features a toe-tapping beat, relaxing shakers, and a memorable guitar lick, with Diplo’s electronic prowess. Zimmerman’s storytelling lyrics, combined with Diplo’s producing efforts, make the collaboration a fitting match. But, Diplo is not new to collaborating with country artists. Under his country moniker, Thomas Westley, he has released a slew of collaborations with artists like Morgan Wallen, Thomas Rhett, Parker McCollum, Sturgill Simpson, and others.
Along with the studio recording for “Ashes,” the friends shared the official music video for the track. The light-hearted clip features the two artists sporting cowboy hats in the opening sequence and trading them out for 80s-style sweatbands. Seconds in, they’re pumping iron in front of a vintage camper out in the summer sun.
Zimmerman and Diplo get into various shenanigans throughout the visual, as they can be seen riding around on four-wheelers, cooking out, dipping their feet in a blow-up pool, and mixing up some much-needed refreshments with a group of pals at a lemonade stand — at what appears to be a trailer court. The fun-filled visual display brings the summer energy to the song even further as Zimmerman and Diplo show off their infectious personalities, making it feel as if folks are enjoying the moment with them.
Before sharing “Ashes” with the fans, Zimmerman teased the track on social media. In a post on Instagram, he let followers know that: “I’ve been cooking up with @diplo for a long time trying to get a country summer smash for y’all… I think we’ve got it… y’all wanna hear it?!”
This is the second joint effort between Zimmerman and Diplo. Earlier this month, Diplo made a cameo in Zimmerman’s video for “Comin’ In Cold.”
“Ashes” is the latest song to be released ahead of Zimmerman’s next album. The track follows the release of “Backup Plan” featuring Luke Combs as well as Top 10 and platinum single “Holy Smokes,” in addition to “New To Country,” “Hell or High Water,” “Holding On,” and “Comin’ In Cold.” Produced by frequent collaborator Austin Shawn, Different Night, Same Rodeo will follow 2023’s Religiously. The Album.
