Sierra is BACK.
In an era filled with some of the most talented female artists in the genre, ranging from Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson dominating the mainstream to the likes of Kaitlin Butts, Carter Faith, Maggie Antone and more turning heads in the alternative country scene, Sierra Ferrell has remained one of the best of the best of the decade.
2025, in particular, was a huge year for the “Lighthouse” singer. Riding the highs of her brilliant 2024 album, Trail of Flowers, Ferrell swept her categories at the 67th Grammy Awards, taking home four trophies for Best Americana Album (Trail of Flowers), Best Americana Performance (“American Dreaming”), Best American Roots Song (“American Dreaming”) and Best American Roots Performance (“Lighthouse”).
She’d follow that up in September by taking home her second-straight Artist of the Year trophy at the Americana Awards, becoming just the third artist and first female artist ever to win in back-to-back years.
This year, she’s been keeping the momentum going on the road with her 34-show Heavy Petal Tour, which kicked off back in May and wraps up in October.
Though the tour has been a success, the main question on everyone’s mind regarding Ferrell lately is “When is she going to release new music?” Outside of her appearance on the Apple Music exclusive team-up with Mumford & Sons on “Here,” she’s been radio-silent since dropping a two-song deluxe edition of Trail of Flowers back in January 2025.
Luckily, the wait is finally over.
After playing the song throughout the Heavy Petal Tour, Ferrell took to Instagram on Wednesday to officially announce her return with the brand new track, “Trying to Love You,” which is out everywhere today.
“I think it’s about time for some new music, don’t y’all? ”Trying to Love You” will be yours this Friday Aug 7th.”
If you thought the hiatus was going to result in a drop off in quality from the West Virginia native, you’d be proven false here on “Trying to Love You.” In typical fashion, Ferrell is blending a plethora of influences here, pulling on the blues and mixing it with her classic Appalachian sound. What results is a sultry ballad that sees her letting go of a love she desperately tried to hold on to.
“You say you’re a good man
But are you doing all you can
I watch you slippin’ through my hands
I’m just trying to get back home
Get back home
It’s a fine line
Trying to love you
It’s a fine line
So fine
Just trying to love you”
Though Ferrell is a severely underrated lyricist, she lets her vocals and the production shine here. In particular, the ending third of the song, which sees her repeating the lines “We’re just walking each other home” and “Are you washed in the blood of the lamb?” allow the song to crescendo beautifully.
Ultimately, “Trying to Love You” is easily one of the most unique releases in a jam-packed week in country music. It seemed hard to follow up a brilliant album such as Trail of Flowers. With that being said, however, if the rest of her upcoming record sounds like this, she’ll have another generational project on her hands.
“Trying To Love You”
The Heavy Petal Tour Dates
August 9 – Alta, Wyoming – Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival*
August 14 – Bentonville, Arkansas – The Momentary
August 15 – Birmingham, Alabama – Avondale Brewing Company
August 16 – Lewisburg, West Virginia – State Fair of West Virginia*
August 28 – Iowa City, Iowa – University of Iowa’s Fall Welcome Concert
August 29 – Milwaukee, Wisconsin – Landmark Credit Union Live
August 30 – Saint Paul, Minnesota – Minnesota State Fair*
September 1 – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – State AE Outdoors
September 2 – Lewiston, New York – Artpark Mainstage
September 4 – Shelburne, Vermont – Shelburne Museum
September 5 – Portland, Maine – Thompson’s Point
September 6 – Northampton, Massachusetts – The Pines Theater
September 8 – Charlottesville, Virginia – Ting Pavilion
September 11-13 – Bristol, Tennessee/Virginia – Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion*
October 22 – Nashville, Tennessee – Bridgestone Arena^
October 23 – Nashville, Tennessee – Bridgestone Arena^
* – Festival
^ – Supporting the Red Clay Strays
