Thomas Rhett's new album, 'About a Woman,' arrives for fans to enjoy on Aug. 23.
Thomas Rhett is excited to share his new album, About a Woman, with the world -- especially since it's inspired by his wife and kids.
On Thursday, the 34-year-old country music singer spoke with ET's Rachel Smith from CMA Fest in Nashville, Tennessee, and detailed his love for his wife, Lauren Akins, and their children -- which is what led him to create a more upbeat album.
Thomas and Lauren, 34, share four daughters -- Willa Gray, 8, Ada James, 6, Lennon Love, 4, and Lillie Carolina, 2. The "Marry Me" singer says his girls -- while lovers of his other music -- take slight issue with his slower songs.
"I started this record last April with the mission of making my kids want to be able to dance -- not that they haven't on my last records, but they like to skip the ballads," he joked. "We put one ballad on this project, which is like five less than I normally have ever done."
After getting the approval of his daughters and wife -- who he's written a love song or two about -- Thomas landed on more than a dozen songs that he co-wrote. The album utilizes retro sounds and fast-paced tempos to tell a story about the thing he knows best thanks to his high school sweetheart and wife of 12 years: love.
"[I] recorded a ton of songs and ended up with 14 tracks that genuinely just put a smile on my face and my wife's, which is very awesome," the five-time GRAMMY Award nominee told ET. "I'm excited."
His daughters are equally excited, especially his eldest, Willa Gray, who recently told him she approves of his music, even if that approval did come in an unconventional way.
"She said it slaps," he told ET. "I was like, 'Where did you hear that?' ... I guess slaps mean that it just has a good beat. I really don't know, but I received it." The father of four added that his outlook on About a Woman is that it will have "slappers, bangers only."
The faster-paced songs also presented an interesting challenge, he shared, as it allowed him the opportunity to write sappy love songs for his longtime partner, but in a fun, upbeat manner.
As detailed in his hit songs "Die a Happy Man" and "Life Changes," Thomas and Lauren met when they were in kindergarten and briefly dated in high school. They later reunited as adults and wed in 2012 at 22 years old.
"I've written a million songs about her, you know, so every record process, it's always fun to kinda go back in and try to figure out a new way to say I love you," he said, sharing that this album will "hopefully make you want to move at the same time."
Outside of his new album, Thomas told ET that he and Lauren are enjoying this new phase of their life as parents of four kids. He says they may have to get into pickleball or something of the like before they know it.
“I'll never wish my kids being babies away, but they are -- we're in a sweet spot right now. We've kind of been underwater for the last couple years and this year kinda felt like a, I don't know, just a breath of fresh air," he admitted.
Thomas added, "Me and Lauren might pick up, you know, a new hobby or something."
About a Woman drops everywhere music is available on Aug. 23.
CMA Fest hosted by Jelly Roll and Ashley McBryde will air June 25 on ABC.
For more headlines from CMA Fest, check out the links below.
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