Hitting Pause – 53 Songs, 24 Days, and a New Chapter Begins
In the past 24 days, I’ve released 53 songs across 8 different projects. Country, hip hop, rock, bluegrass, acoustic, even a Native American-influenced track—if you can name it, I probably tried it. What started as a burst of inspiration turned into the most creative stretch of my entire music career.
And now… I’m pumping the brakes.
Not because I’m out of ideas. Not even close. I’ve created over 2,800 versions of songs during this process. But because I believe I’ve laid a strong foundation. A catalog with depth, variety, and purpose. A catalog that deserves a little breathing room.
This journey began with Dry, an album written from the heart about my own sobriety. I didn’t hear enough music that spoke to the experience of staying sober—so I made the kind of songs I wanted to hear. From there, it snowballed into a full creative wave:
• Hard Reset gave me a gritty hip hop lane—grown man rap with something to say.
• Chute Life brought me back to my roots, creating rodeo anthems for the cowboys and cowgirls out there living it.
• Home revisited the early years—growing up in Eastern New Mexico, learning hard lessons before I made the move to Texas in 2007.
• Far From Empty followed—my highway record. A country album for the open road.
• Then came the single Cheyenne in July, a timely release for one of rodeo’s greatest traditions.
• Still Unbranded was for the ranchers—and my daughters. I included a song written from their perspective just so they could add it to their favorite playlists.
• And finally, Hear Me Now. A rock song. Loud. Defiant. A statement. A cherry on top.
Each release has its own identity. Each project feels like a curated compilation—different vocalists, different genres—more like a DJ Khaled-style drop than a traditional artist album. I’ve broken almost every rule of how music is supposed to be released under a single artist name. And I love that. I created something new. Something that hasn’t been done like this before.
This music isn’t a novelty. It’s not a meme. It’s not an AI gimmick or a joke song for clicks. These songs were written with real intention. Real storytelling. A blend of cutting-edge tools and human experience. I wanted to prove that AI-assisted music can still have heart. Still say something that matters.
Now it’s time to let the dust settle. I’ve been releasing music at a blistering pace, and I realize it’s probably been a whirlwind for anyone trying to keep up. I’ll still be creating, but I’m holding off on new releases—at least for a while.
My playlist Essential Cole Younger is the best way to experience the highlights. It features 48 of the most accessible tracks across this run. The remaining handful are more personal and intimate, left off intentionally. The playlist is designed to shuffle genres, moods, and tempos to showcase range—not just to ride one topic for too long. It’s already seen over 500 plays, and it’s the most active way people are discovering my music.
I’m starting to see the algorithm pick up a few songs and push them to new listeners. That’s encouraging. But I know it’s going to take time. Just like with my old Roosevelt Road releases, it’ll be one or two songs from each project that catch on. And that’s okay. They’ll find their people.
This has been one of the most fulfilling stretches of my career. I’ve had the time of my life making this music. I’m proud of the work. I’ve done enough—for now.
Thanks for listening. Keep streaming. Keep sharing. The music’s out there now—and I believe it’ll find the right ears.
—Cole Younger Brakebill
July 15, 2025
