Colin Stough has fulfilled his promise to the fans! The fast-rising star has officially dropped his brand-new track, “Promiseland,” available now on streaming services everywhere.
Written by Stough with Alex Maxwell and Dawson Edwards, “Promiseland” finds the country rocker paying tribute to his hometown of Gattman, Mississippi, and the way he grew up. Keeping in touch with his roots, he sings of having no intentions of changing who he is despite newfound fame.
“Take me back to the promiseland / I wanna stick my feet in the Bartahachee sand / Open the gate down 278 / Red Hill Road is calling my name / so take me back to the promiseland,” Stough sings, showcasing his unique gritty vocals over electric guitars and heavy drums.
Watch Colin Stough’s “Promiseland” Music Video Below
Alongside the release of the radio-ready anthem, Colin Stough also unveiled a music video for the track, directed by Mike Rodway. In the video, the American Idol alum returns to his hometown of Gattman, Mississippi, affectionately referred to as his “Promiseland.”
The video showcases Stough performing the song while incorporating images and videos from his recent live shows in Mississippi and Alabama. It also captures candid scenes of him spending time with friends, cruising on his motorcycle in his Mississippi hometown, and glimpses of a rodeo event.
Leans Into His Southern Rock And Blues Roots
Although Colin Stough has performed country songs like Whiskey Myers’ “Stone” and Parker McCollum’s “Pretty Heart” during his run on Season 21’s American Idol, “Promiseland” showcases him leaning more into the southern rock side reminiscent of the showcasing he gave Idol fans early on with his audition of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man.”
“I grew up listening to all kinds of music, but my own personal style sits within that country southern rock genre,” Stough shared with Music Mayhem. “I like the fusion of blues and rock, grit and energy. My favorite artists are Skynyrd, Marcus King, Pecos and The Rooftops, Whiskey Myers, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and so on.”
Last month, Stough excited fans on social media, sharing the cover art for “Promiseland” ahead of the song’s release.
“Y’all ready to go on a trip? We’re heading to “Promiseland” on September 8th,” he captioned on Instagram the image that features his name and the song title printed on street signs.
Moved To Nashville And Is Pursuing Music Full Time
Stough, who has been living in Nashville, Tenn., full-time, pursuing his music since his time on Idol, shared how “Promiseland” came about in the writing room.
He said, “I was in the session and thinking about how I’d come off the show and ended up in Nashville, writing and working with no intention of moving home. We were talking about Mississippi and how I was raised. How all those places and experiences, family and friends, good nights, and bad nights shaped me. That all came together into a song. “Promiseland” is a story of me and where I’m from. It’s an acknowledgment that wherever I end up, I’ll always stick to my roots.”
Follows “I Still Talk To Jesus”
“Promiseland” follows Stough’s previous two singles, “I Still Talk To Jesus” and “Bad Day,” both of which he released since placing third on American Idol. And while it’s uncertain whether or not “Promiseland” will be featured on a bigger project, Stough says, “If it did, it wouldn’t surprise me.”
As Stough continues to write and release new music, he is also packing his schedule with a handful of headlining shows. He says, “Connecting with fans and hearing them sing my songs is absolutely insane, but my favorite part is probably getting to meet so many of them.”
“People from all over the place… It’s wild they’re all there to hear me sing,” he continues. “As for the show itself, listen, you all come out to a show, and I’ll definitely give you those ballad moments, but for the most part, we are gonna rock the F out.”
Be sure to take a listen to “Promiseland” and watch the music video for the tune above.
