One of Oklahoma’s finest is back.
As one of the best and brightest stars flying out of Oklahoma in the red dirt scene, it’s hard to point to a more important artist in the genre right now than Wyatt Flores. After breaking out back in 2023 thanks to the continued success of his 2022 platinum single, “Please Don’t Go,” and other viral hits such as “Losing Sleep” and “Break My Bones,” the 24-year-old singer/songwriter stunned everyone upon the release of his debut album, Welcome To The Plains, in October 2024.
The record, which instantly transported you to Flores’ home in Oklahoma, proved to be one of the best releases of the year. Not only did it build upon the patented Red Dirt-inspired sound that he has been curating throughout his career, but it also contained some of the best songwriting moments of the year on stellar tracks such as the heartbreaking “Oh Susannah,” the brooding “Stillwater” and the morbid yet hilarious “When I Die.”
With all of that being said, many (myself included) were patiently waiting for new music from the “Milwaukee” singer throughout 2025. Though the year came and went without any new releases, it became increasingly clear that Flores was gearing up for a new album in 2026 with the release of “Runnin’ On E” and “Drive All Night” back in March and May.
After some speculation on when Flores would finally pull the trigger and announce his next record, today, he officially confirmed that his sophomore album, Scared Of Heights, will finally be released on Friday, July 31st.
In the Instagram post announcing the album, he’d explain that the delay between albums ultimately stemmed from a lack of belief in himself and his music, something that he’s been quite transparent and vocal about throughout his career. He’d also note that this is the “most proud” he’s ever been about his music.
“I know it has been almost two years since I last released an album. I gotta say this is the best I have ever done and the most proud I’ve ever been of my music. There was a long while where I didn’t want to write and record. I got to a point where I was scared to tell my truth and instead of writing about it I ran away from it. Until I was finally ready for that chapter to end and start a new one.”
Diving deeper into the headspace he was in when creating Scared of Heights, Flores would acknowledge that it stemmed from an admittedly dark place, noting that he had to relearn how to love himself and others again. It was through this struggle that the album was ultimately born.
“‘Scared of Heights’ is the chapter of my life where I didn’t believe in myself and struggled with self worth. I’ve had to relearn how to love myself and others. Through this process I started writing again and this time it felt different…I knew I was headed in a direction I’ve always wanted to go but never been. I surprised myself by making this album. My fears are still with me but I’m learning they do not control me. I hope y’all find something to take with you on this new journey.”
Additionally, Flores would share that Scared of Heights captures him at his truest self, not chasing any trends or second-guessing every decision.
“I finally feel like I know who I’m supposed to be, right here in this moment. I’m not second-guessing myself anymore on what the music’s supposed to be, what I’m supposed to be chasing, or who I’ve become. This is who I am now in 2026. Still figuring out my struggles and mental health but finally getting the confidence to step back into this and to believe in myself again.”
As for what to expect from the album, it marks a key turning point in his career. This time around, Flores will be working with none other than Charlie Handsome, who recently produced Morgan Wallen’s I’m The Problem and Post Malone’s F-1 Trillion. Here, he will be working with Jacob “JKash” Hindlin (Dua Lipa) and Gian Stone (Maroon 5) as producers on Scared of Heights, marking a major switch-up for Flores from a production standpoint.
Overall, Scared of Heights will contain 13 songs. In addition to the two pre-released tracks, “Runnin’ On E” and “Drive All Night,” a plethora of previously-teased songs such as “Half The Man,” “Sleepless Lullaby” and “The Way I Do” will all appear on the album as well.
There’s no doubt that the team-up with Handsome will cause some major criticism from the alternative country scene, given his history with Wallen and Post. With that being said, however, the “Please Don’t Go” singer has yet to miss on a project in his young career so far. If there’s anyone who deserves the benefit of the doubt at this point, it’s Flores.
Flores will be previewing the album once again with the aforementioned “Half The Man,” which releases this Friday, June 5th.
Scared of Heights Tracklist
- “Hate Myself”
- “Sober For a Month”
- “Drive All Night”
- “Not Good Enough”
- “Scared of Heights”
- “How To Let Me Go”
- “Half The Man”
- “South Dakota”
- “Sleepless Lullaby”
- “God Forgives”
- “Runnin’ On E”
- “The Way I Do”
- “Tulsa and Eleanor”
“Runnin’ On E”
