Corey Kent and Lauren Alaina’s vocals are a match made in heaven. But their fictional relationship is far from perfect in their new duet, “Now or Never.” The artists just debuted the accompanying music video for the award-worthy single, and it appropriately fits the ballad’s heartbreaking narrative to a tee.
Corey Kent and Lauren Alaina Release New Duet, “Now Or Never”
Featuring both artists, Wales Toney, the project’s director, sets a tone for the clip with a moody blue and dark color scheme. The opening sequence shows a car driving off, with Kent’s expression appearing melancholy as he leans up against the front door of a house. He heads inside the home and peers out the window while contemplating the fate of his presumed relationship.
Alaina shows up midway through the video, sharing her side of the seemingly ill-fated relationship. Putting her foot down, she sings of no-longer wanting to settle for drunken phone calls and loving and then leaving before the pair join their voices together for a harmony-filled chorus.
“You say you want me when you need me, but you’re still on the fence / If I’m the only one that’s seein’ you and me in the end / Baby, break my heart and get it over with / Love me now, love me now, or never again / Love me now, or never again,” the two artists sing throughout the heartbreak chorus.
“Now Or Never” Tackles The Push And Pull Of A Relationship
Kent released “Now or Never” featuring Alaina in anticipation for his sophomore album, Black Bandana, which dropped on Friday (Sept. 6). Written by Sam Ellis, Ryan Hurd, and Geoff Warburton and produced by Chris Farren, the track effortlessly tackles the push and pull of a relationship that appears to be going in the wrong direction. So much so, the significant others are faced with giving each other an ultimatum.
Kent’s emotionally-charged vocals paired with Alaina’s technical vocal prowess that made her a front-runner on Season 10’s American Idol shine over an arrangement that finds them bringing back the sound of ‘80s power rock anthems. Combining all of those parts undoubtedly makes the song worth a second, and then a third, listen.
Sharing the meaning behind the track in a press release, the platinum-selling singer/songwriter said, “‘Now or Never’ is a song about drawing a line in the sand for yourself. It’s about loving somebody but refusing to let them continue to hurt you by taking a stand and asking your partner to make up their mind… ‘You either love me or you don’t.’”
“I think the message is super powerful,” Alaina added. “It’s okay to love someone and take a stand for yourself when needed. I am honored Corey asked me to be a part of it. I can’t wait to see where the song takes us.”
Corey Kent’s New Album, Black Bandana
Along with “Now or Never,” Black Bandana, which according to a press release is “all about finding balance, keeping clear eyes on what’s important – and waving that Black Bandana for all to see,” features a total of ten tracks, six of which were co-written by Kent.
Of the album’s title, Kent says, “It started from riding motorcycles and wanting something over your face so you didn’t swallow a bug. But then it turned into a staple I wear on stage, and then a symbol of the path through my career, and life. Through all the ups and downs, the one constant thing was this relentless hope – this relentless pursuit of believing that if I don’t give up, I can get where I’m going.”
“We all face our own demons. We all face our own setbacks, and I hope this record serves as encouragement,” he continues. “It would be really easy to lean on the past and go, ‘Look at what I’ve done,’ but I’m still excited about the records I’ve yet to create. I’m excited about the shows I haven’t played yet. I’m excited about unlocking new levels of my craft and writing more songs that people connect with deeply. …I still live for those moments.”
Black Bandana follows Kent’s previous collection, 2023’s Blacktop, which featured the chart-topping smash “Wild as Her.” The album release comes as Kent prepares for the launch of his 2024 international Black Bandana Tour, beginning on Sat. (Sept. 21) in Paso Robles, Calif. Braxton Keith, Kaitlin Butts, Max McNown, Karley Scott Collins and Lauren Watkins will join the Oklahoma native on select dates of the tour.
Black Bandana Track List
- Ain’t Gonna Lie (Corey Kent / Austin Goodloe / Brett Tyler)
- Damn Good Country Song (Ben Burgess / Michael Lotten / Whitney Phillips)
- Black Bandana (Corey Kent / Rocky Block / Jordan Dozzi / Brett Tyler)
- Never Ready (Corey Kent / Austin Goodloe / Joybeth Taylor / Lydia Vaughan)
- Break Like That (Thomas Archer / Jacob Hackworth / AJ Pruis / Brett Tyler)
- Nothing But Neon (Corey Kent / Austin Goodloe / Joybeth Taylor / Lydia Vaughan)
- Now or Never feat. Lauren Alaina (Sam Ellis / Ryan Hurd / Geoff Warburton)
- Rust (Corey Kent / Casey Brown / Jacob Davis / Travis Wood)
- This Heart (Thomas Archer / Blake Bollinger / Jacob Hackworth / Michael Tyler)
- So Far (Corey Kent / Joe Fox / Lauren Hungate)
For more information on Kent’s Black Bandana tour, visit his official website, HERE.
