There’s always some great albums on the horizon but Colby Acuff’s next is easily the one I’m most looking forward too.
The proud Idaho native has been releasing music at a prolific pace since his debut project Life of a Rolling Stone in 2020, putting out a new album each year since, his latest being the deluxe version of Western White Pines in September 2023.
While there’s been no official announcement that an album is coming our way soon, Acuff released his first single of the year earlier this month and has been openly speaking about what this project is going to be on X.
“Scared Of The Dark” addressed the always tough topic of mental health, weaving his own experiences with those of others close to him before closing on an optimistic note that tomorrow will be better than yesterday.
“So let me shield you from the rain
I’m not even you, and yet we look the same
I know this place, yes, I know where you are
And it made me scared of the dark
I am here to help
I’m just something that you need
I’m a voice of forgiveness
Here to shine when days are bleak
Times they are a changing
Today begins an age
Tomorrow will be better than all your yesterdays…”
He also added some context for the song in a post on X.
“When I originally wrote “Scared of the Dark” the first title was “Personified Depression.” I wanted to write a song that had a chance to make an impact and potentially even heal people.
Mental health is an epidemic and it’s time we start really addressing the issue. I personally have lost too many good friends to suicide and know too many people that struggle with depression.”
“Scared of the Dark” out now 🤘🏼
When I originally wrote “Scared of the Dark” the first title was “Personified Depression.”
I wanted to write a song that had a chance to make an impact and potentially even heal people.
Mental health is an epidemic and it’s time we start… https://t.co/Bzn4OruLES
— Colby Acuff (@cacuff15) May 3, 2024
Colby has another song coming out one week from today titled “Better Days” in a short teaser of the song we can hear it’s in the same vein as “Scared Of The Dark” but may speak to culture wide problems that still surface in our individual lives.
Art can inspire a better future.
“Better Days” coming soon. pic.twitter.com/u5JwjjcO7G— Colby Acuff (@cacuff15) May 19, 2024
After hearing that snippet I was intrigued as to what the core of this project would be, so I fired off a question to Colby and he was gracious enough to respond on what his intentions with this album were.
I asked if this was a personal project that came from the struggles of his newfound fame and his response was really incredible.
“This project is very personal to me, but it’s not about the growth. The record is really about all the hardships I went through this last year, and really a culmination of hardships I’ve experienced in my life.
When I was experiencing these moments of sorrow I was asking myself if anyone else felt this way? The answer was yes. I realized that everyone feels this way at some point and some more than others.
I wanted people to know that they are not alone. sometimes it’s okay to not be okay, but my hope is that a song can make your day a little brighter.”
This project is very personal to me, but it’s not about the growth. The record is really about all the hardships I went through this last year, and really a culmination of hardships I’ve experienced in my life.
When I was experiencing these moments of sorrow I was asking myself… https://t.co/ObnH3j93P1
— Colby Acuff (@cacuff15) May 24, 2024
I think I speak for country music fans as a whole when I say that Colby Acuff’s music has more than brightened my day quite a few times and this album will be no different.
This new project is shaping up to be absolutely fantastic and I can’t wait to hear the whole thing. I have a sneaking suspicion it’ll be one of my most played when year end rolls around.
