Pop to Country: Austin Mahone Announces New Country Album ‘Lone Star Story’

Written by Peter Burditt

Videos by American Songwriter

Austin Mahone, an award-winning and multi-platinum artist, announces the release of his upcoming country album, A Lone Star Story. 

The Miami-based Mahone, who recorded the project at Nashville’s The 808 Farm and Darkhorse Studio with producer Jim Jonsin, obtained fame through his early 2010 YouTube cover videos and later his pop and R&B-influenced music. However, Mahone is now paving a new path by independently releasing his music and making the ambitious transition to country. 

The transition to the country genre comes as no surprise for Mahone nor his fans, as Mahone is a San Antonio native who frequently listened to country music during his upbringing. In an interview with Taste of Country, Mahone told the publication he’s from San Antonio, Texas, and “grew up [loving country music].”

“It’s nice to tap back into where I came from and do it my own way,” he added. 

In that same interview, Mahone articulated that his release of “Kuntry” displays “that bridge to show that I’m coming from one place to another.” Furthermore, Mahone divulged to the publication that on the new album, there is “no track called [Lone Star Story]” and that he “felt like the whole project needed a name on its own.”

That being said, Mahone’s new album will seemingly be a passion project that further conveys his love for the genre as a whole. Though, through this transition, Mahone is not disbarring all his former music talents; as the press release regarding his new album stated that Lone Star Story “pairs all of [Mahone’s] life experiences, diverse influences and Mahone’s natural musical sensibilities into an authentic and cohesive collection of work.” 

Mahone has released two songs from the album, “Sundress” and “Withdrawal.” Lone Star Story will be available on June 23. 

Photo Credit: Xavier Sotomayor/Courtesy of Full Coverage