Eric Paslay Announces ‘Dressed in Black’ Album

Eric Paslay debuted his newest single “High Class” – and accompanying hip-swinging dance moves – back in the fall, and now there will be an album to follow in its groove-heavy wake. Dressed in Black, the singer’s sophomore LP, will be released this summer, produced by Marshall Altman.

Like on his self-titled 2014 debut, Paslay had a hand in writing each of Dressed in Black‘s 12 songs, collaborating with the likes of Natalie Hemby, Liz Rose and Jaren Johnston. Already proven that he’s capable of both moving ballads like “She Don’t Love You” and blues-infused rockers like “High Class,” Dressed in Black is likely to be equally diverse, with, as he unveils in a behind-the-scenes video, everything from “swampy guitars to beautiful string orchestras playing.”

“Some of the songs were held by other people for years, but not recorded,” he told Rolling Stone Country. “And you never know why. So I was like, ‘Shoot, I’m recording that!’ Half of them were new songs, about being on the road and the life of the last album. But it’s different heartbeats, different melodies. And there are more surprises — there are a few ballads, and it’s not all loud.”

Paslay will head to Las Vegas for the Academy of Country Music Awards this Sunday, where he is nominated as Song of the Year for “She Don’t Love You.” The tall Texan was also up for a Grammy for his appearance on Charles Kelley’s “The Driver” with Dierks Bentley – who, coincidentally, also has his own Black album due March 27th (with no relation to Paslay’s. . . nor Jay-Z’s).

“It’s been a fun process making Dressed In Back,” Paslay says. “It’s come together as a beautiful album.”