Country Superstar Shocks Fans With Yacht Rock Covers Album Amid Major Life Change
Keith Urban is in his easy-breezy era. In an unexpected pivot, the country superstar is about to "set sail" with a new yacht rock covers project. And seeing as how Urban is also wading through some rough waters personally with ex-wife Nicole Kidman, perhaps this softer side of rocking out couldn't come at a better time.
According to Urban's social media blasts, his next album will be a mix of classic yacht rock favorites from the late 1970s and early '80s. Sharing the news at the Country Radio Seminar in Nashville, Urban shocked the crowd with his announcement, leaving the roomful of fans thinking he was joking, Whiskey Riff reports.
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"It's the first time I've done an album of covers," he told the audience. "There is one original on the record. It's a thematic record … yacht rock songs. You think I'm kidding? I'm not kidding."
At the event, Urban shared the yacht rock original with fans, along with soulful renditions of Stephen Bishop's "On and On" from 1977 and Robbie Dupree's "Steal Away" from 1980. Here's hoping The Doobie Brothers' "What a Fool Believes," which effectively launched the genre, is on his track list.
Ever since the relaxed subgenre of classic rock was given a name, yacht rock has surged in popularity. It is a surprising move from a country star, after all, as artists from competing genres, like pop and hip-hop, seem to be overzealous about wanting to dip their toes into the wild west genre. But Urban's taking a different approach, and instead leaning into the smooth '70s/'80s sound revival and genre comeback.
Beyond the stage, Urban has been in the headlines for personal matters pertaining to his split from his wife of 19 years. With Kidman rumored to be moving on with family friend and Scarpetta co-star, Simon Baker, outlets have reported Urban as having a difficult time. It's possible this album is a musical escape before a creative new chapter.
The new album drops tomorrow (Wednesday, April 28), so be on the lookout. "We're getting closer to Wednesday. Don't drift too far now," Urban writes on Instagram. "Nashville, hope you didn't make other plans for the 29th."
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This story was originally published April 28, 2026 at 11:24 AM.