Blake Shelton’s long-awaited new album, For Recreational Use Only, dropped on May 9 and quickly proved to be one of the most personal and sonically rich projects of his career. Packed with stories of heartbreak, healing, and reflection, the record’s centerpiece is a stunning duet that’s already striking a deep chord with fans: “Hangin’ On,” a bittersweet ballad featuring Shelton’s wife, Gwen Stefani.
Co-written by Greylan James, Sam Ellis, and Lady A’s Charles Kelley, “Hangin’ On” captures the emotional whiplash of seeing an old flame resurface just when you thought you’d finally moved on. Shelton’s voice begins alone, grounded and gravelly, as he sings:
“I let go of any chance that you were comin’ back / Like I was supposed to… Thought I was through with you / Then out the blue…”
Then, Stefani joins him—and the heartbreak doubles. Her haunting vocals wrap around his like a ghost from the past, giving life to the shared pain and memory the song explores. The chorus crescendos with lyrics that feel like pages torn from a personal journal:
“I hear you’re hangin’ on the other side of this town… I shoulda let go by now / But I keep hangin’ on to every word you said.”
Their voices blend effortlessly, once again proving that while their genres differ—his Oklahoma country roots, her California pop edge—their musical chemistry is undeniable.
In a recent interview with TODAY, Shelton opened up about the importance of recording with Stefani, calling it a non-negotiable going forward:
“I don’t feel like I want to make a record without a duet with Gwen on it anymore. She’s my favorite person to sing with.”
While they may have teamed up for a breakup song this time, Shelton said with a grin that it was still “so fun” to sing together.
Their story, of course, began in a recording studio—on the set of The Voice in 2014. They married in 2021 at Shelton’s ranch in Oklahoma, where they now live with Stefani’s three sons. Music, it seems, continues to be the thread tying their worlds together. Shelton has even hinted at a new dream: performing one day at the Grand Ole Opry with Stefani and all three boys.
“That would be Gwen’s dream come true — to have a family band or something like that.”
Released under BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville, For Recreational Use Only marks Shelton’s first studio album in nearly four years. The 12-track project is packed with authenticity, exploring life’s triumphs and failures with wit and wisdom. Alongside Stefani, Shelton also collaborates with country legend John Anderson and his longtime tourmate Craig Morgan, making the album feel like both a personal diary and a celebration of community.
The record’s arrival follows Shelton’s successful Friends & Heroes Tour, which wrapped in March to sold-out crowds, and affirms his continued relevance in an evolving country music landscape.
