Here’s the new single from GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter Ashley Monroe. ‘The Touch’, featuring Marty Stuart, is a dreamy ballad that simmers with love and longing and showcases Monroe’s tuneful, intimate vocal. The harmonies are particularly beautiful towards the song’s close as the feeling and voices swell. Shelby Lynne adds woozy bass, giving depth and warmth to the song, while Marty Stuart’s notes bend and twist alongside Monroe’s voice.
Monroe says of the song: “‘The Touch’ is the first song I ever wrote with the incredible Marty Stuart. It was storming so loud that day, and we could feel the electricity just hanging in the air. He played that guitar lick, and my heart melted. I’ve always been a fan of timeless love songs. So honoured to have Marty write this one with me and play on it! I’m also so proud to have Shelby Lynne on bass! What a band!”
Stuart adds: “‘The Touch’ is a majestic song. When Ashley and I were recording the words and music onto our cell phones moments after we’d finished writing it, the Nashville sky filled with thunder. The windows in the room where the song came to life rattled like bones. We laughed and took that as a sign that God liked the song. Lightning in a bottle, if you will. I didn’t think any performance of the song could get any better than our inspired working version. Ashley’s formal recording, however, takes the song up into the clouds and commands time to stand still. The harmonies are glorious. ‘The Touch’ is four minutes and fifty-one seconds of pure magic. The kind of song we long for.”
The single is from the forthcoming new album, “Tennessee Lightning”, which is due for release on 8th August 2025. Monroe co-produced alongside GRAMMY-winning producer/engineer Gena Johnson, who has worked with the likes of John Prine and Jason Isbell. The album serves to celebrate life, love, hope and the power of music to heal, set within the context of Monroe’s recent battle with cancer and subsequent recovery. The resulting songs are heartfelt and personal – real songwriting about real human concerns. Monroe shares: “When I got diagnosed with lymphoma and started my treatment, I stopped writing, I stopped hearing melodies, I stopped thinking about songs at all. When I finally went into remission, I could feel the life and the music start flowing in my veins again. It was like a flood, just this rush of inspiration. I feel like I’ve emerged from these last few years with a pretty profound perspective shift. I’ve learned to be more in the moment, to appreciate what’s right in front of me and enjoy every second I get to spend doing what I love with the people I care about.” It’s inspiring and a perfect response to challenging times. Check it out.
