The Boot (Aug. 18th 2008)

Blake Shelton’s new music: more upbeat, more Miranda

Blake Shelton wants fans to know they can expect a more upbeat album from him next time around. The singer admits that his current CD, 'Pure BS,' recorded while he was divorcing, reflects the heartache he was experiencing at the time. But those days are over.

"I'm through with that phase of my life," Shelton told the Erie, Penn. Times-News. "I'm just back to being me. This new album has got a lot of songs about regret and things you expect to hear from a country artist. But it's also a lot more fun and a little more lighthearted, too, at times."

One thing the album almost certainly will have is Blake collaborating with girlfriend Miranda Lambert.

"Obviously, Miranda will probably end up doing a thing with me on there," said Shelton. "She and I are kind of to the point where it'd hurt our feelings if we weren't on each others records.”

Shelton's current single 'She Wouldn't Be Gone,' has been rush-released to radio, and has had a profound effect on the singer himself, even if it isn't one of those lighthearted songs he's promised will be on the new CD.

"I couldn't get it out of my head," Shelton says. "The melody haunts me, and I love to sing it."

With 'She Wouldn't Be Gone' and the success of his previous hit, 'Home,' Shelton says he feels like he's back on track.

"To have this, it pretty much re-energized me and everyone who works with me," he says. "It's like those first days of being in the business again -- the possibilities seem to be endless.”