Joshua Ray Walker Readies New Album ‘Ain’t Dead Yet,’ Shares ‘Capital Letters’

Over the past few years, Joshua Ray Walker has proven himself to be one of the most interesting singer-songwriters to come out of the Texas music scene. But when he first began working on what would become his sixth studio album, the longtime lyricist and musician had no idea that it would become one of his most raw and biographical projects so far.

Set for release on May 29 via East Dallas Records/Thirty Tigers, Ain’t Dead Yet was born during a time of deep uncertainty after being diagnosed with Stage 3B colon cancer. As he tried to navigate his new normal and began undergoing treatment, he channeled his creative energy into repeatedly tweaking and reworking what would become his upcoming 10-track LP.

“That whole year, I just felt awful and like I was dying,” Walker shares in a statement. “I didn’t feel right, and mentally I was off, like there really was something wrong the whole time. So I think the reason some of these songs feel the way they do is because I felt that way, even though I didn’t know something was wrong yet.”

The tracks were recorded over multiple months across three studios in Dallas, Texas, starting before his diagnosis, through the treatment process, and after those treatments were successfully completed. Although the record was born out of one of Walker’s most challenging life chapters, it also represents a new era for the talented songsmith, both creatively and personally.

“I faced death; I almost lost my house; I got engaged; We lost most of our belongings to flood and mold; I’ve had loved ones die; I almost lost my entire music catalog. It’s been a lot, good and bad. I’m just a much different person,” he explains. “I’m very intentional with my time, and I’m a lot happier. Even though things have been hard, I genuinely do think I’m happier. It’s been a pretty wild transformation.”

Joshua Ray Walker, Ain’t Dead Yet

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1. “Ain’t Dead Yet”
2. “Shoot Me Straight”
3. “Chasing Sunsets”
4. “Outlaw”
5. “Capital Letters”
6. “Texas Sober”
7. “Blue Genes”
8. “Stepping Stones”
9. “Some People”
10. “Thank You For Listening”

ALBUM OUT MAY 29 VIA EAST DALLAS RECORDS / THIRTY TIGERS

Today (March 4), Joshua Ray Walker also shared “Capital Letters,” the moving lead single from Ain’t Dead Yet. He penned the track as a tribute to two important men who are no longer here on Earth, but continue to impact his life in major ways. The track honors both his late grandfather, who also inspired the first song Walker ever wrote, and Trey Johnson, a longtime mentor and record label co-founder.

“Every time I sing these songs, I sing ‘em to you / Every time I sing these songs, you’ll sing ‘em with me too,” he croons. “It’s a cruel, cruel world / It’s a cruel, cruel world / It’s a cruel, cruel world, but you didn’t think so.”

Listen to “Capital Letters” below: