A deluxe version of Deep Blue is on the horizon.
After an incredibly busy 2025, which saw him co-writing not one but four of Morgan Wallen’s multi-platinum, #1 hits off I’m The Problem, “I Got Better” (platinum), “Smile” (2x platinum), “Just In Case” (2x platinum) and the title track (3x platinum) and releasing two separate projects, Cadillac Sessions and Live From The South, Ernest has shown no signs of slowing down in 2026.
Back on May 1st, he dropped what can only be described as a career-best with his fourth studio album, Deep Blue. And from the get-go, it was clear that he was gearing up for an incredibly unique release. Before officially announcing the record, he’d tell Bobby Bones that the album would contain some beachy/island vibes mixed with some of his patented southern flair. He’d go as far as to call it Alabama meeting Jimmy Buffett.
“There’s a little island inspiration in this next album for sure. And just like a little southern, too. It’s like Alabama and Jimmy Buffett had a baby.”
What resulted was nothing short of a stellar effort from the “I Had Some Help” songwriter. I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve always kept Ernest’s discography within an arm’s reach over the years. While he’s had some absolute stone-cold country classics, ranging from his hit with Morgan Wallen, “Flower Shops,” and his cover of “Would If I Could” with Lainey Wilson to tracks like “Cowgirl Stay” and “Honkytonk Fairytale.” With that being said, however, those tracks would get bogged down in a sea of filler tracks that oftentimes felt like he was chasing a sound much in the vein of Morgan Wallen and his contemporaries. In other words, despite his previous efforts having stellar songs throughout, much of it felt dissonant as an entire body of work.
Deep Blue, however, was anything but dissonant. In fact, it’s one of the most cohesive, well-realized albums of the year so far. Despite the album clearly being a beach-inspired effort, Ernest packs it with quite a variety of songs — all while still keeping the production breezy and varied throughout. Here, you have some high-energy, heartbreakers on tracks like “Lorelei” and “Boat Named After You,” some genuinely stunning, classic offerings that harken back to Willie Nelson on “Lucky” and “If I’m Not Careful” and other rock-solid, breezy tracks like “Edge Of The U.S.A.” and “Somewhere In The Caribbean.”
Over the past two months, fans have been digging the album, which was undoubtedly released at the perfect time with summer heating up. Thanks to the momentum gained from its release, it looks like a deluxe edition of Deep Blue is on the horizon (no pun intended).
On Wednesday evening, Ernest took to Instagram to upload a demo of a brand new track, “Wide Awake.” In the caption, the Tennessee native would ask fans if he should cut this for “the deluxe.” Additionally, he’d throw in the hashtag #AintThatDeep, which is most likely in reference to the recent controversy he found himself in over the album’s merchandise.
As for “Wide Awake,” it feels right at home on the eventual expanded version of Deep Blue. Though it doesn’t explicitly mention the beach, it contains the perfect melancholy nature of tracks like “Quite While We’re Behind,” “Same Moon” and “Time Is A Thief.” Here, Ernest teases a stripped-back cry for one more chance, lamenting that he’s wide awake thinking about a former lover.
“Wide awake
I’m still dreamin’ but I’m wide awake
I keep thinkin’ that I’ll find a way
Back to you
I’m losing it
Girl, this grip I had, I’m losing it
Yeah, this lonely, I’m so used to it
Used to it
I’d do it over
I know it’s over
It shouldn’t be
It shouldn’t be yet
Ain’t Adderall
I just had to call
Because I couldn’t sleep
I couldn’t sleep”
As of now, Ernest has not set a release date for the release of a deluxe version of Deep Blue.
Before you go, fire up the standout track, “Lorelei.”
Ernest 2026 Tour Dates
7/1 – Trois-Rivières, QC – Festivoix 2026
7/7 – Calgary, AB – Calgary Stampede 2026
7/10 – Fort Loramie – Country Concert 2026
7/11 – Youngstown, OH – Y-Live
7/12 – Rhinelander, WI-Hodag Country Festival 2026
7/15 – Stateline, NV – Lake Tahoe Amphitheatre At Caesars Republic !
7/16 – Stateline, NV – Lake Tahoe Amphitheatre At Caesars Republic !
7/18 – Paso Robles, CA-California Mid-State Fair 2026
7/24 – Avon, OH – Country Rising Festival Cleveland 206
7/25 – Marysville, OH – Union Country Fairgrounds
8/8 – Arcadia, WI-Ashley For The Arts 2026
8/25 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre *
10/2 – Anaheim, CA – Honda Center A
10/3 – Sacramento, CA – Golden 1 Center ^
10/9 – Albuquerque, NM – Financial Credit Union Amphitheater
10/10 – Phoenix, AZ- Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre ^
10/17 – Mesquite, NV – 1-15 Country and Rock Music Festival 2026
11/20-22 – St. Petersburg, FL – St. Pete Country Fest 2026
! supporting Eric Church
^ supporting Thomas Rhett
* with lan Munsick
