Brett Eldredge Talks ‘Illinois': ‘I Feel Like We’re Making the Best Music I’ve Ever Been a Part Of’

Brett Eldredge is prepping to release his sophomore album, Illinois, and the singer says that while the project has been in the works for a long time, his hard work has definitely paid off.

"I’ve been writing for this album since I released the last album over two years ago because I knew it would sneak up on me if I didn’t start writing right away and didn’t start preparing for it," Eldredge tells NashvilleGab. "And so, I feel more comfortable than I ever have in the studio, with this music. I feel like we’re making the best music I’ve ever been a part of to date in the studio right now.

"... I feel very fortunate to be in the position I am, and with this momentum and the success of the first album," he adds, "and I’m confident that I’m going to deliver my fans the best music possible on the second album."

Eldredge says that he'll be sharing a lot about himself on the project. After all, his main inspiration for the record was his upbringing in Paris, Ill.

"It’s definitely a depth of who I am. That’s why I wanted to name the album Illinois," he says. "... The roots of where you come from are always right there in your heart, and you carry all that along with you wherever you go, and that’s kind of who I am as a person and what I want that album to portray."

The first single off of the album, "Lose My Mind," which Eldredge co-wrote with Ross Copperman and Heather Morgan, shows fans a good example of how his sound has transformed for the new record.

"It’s a sound I’ve yet to put out," Eldredge says. "So, we wanted to not shock people, but show them what else I could do, and show ’em where I’m going."

Eldredge is set to head out on tour with rumored collaboration partner Thomas Rhett this fall, as co-headliners on the 2015 CMT on Tour; Danielle Bradbery will be joining the pair on the road.

Illinois is set for release on Sept. 11. The project is available for pre-order on iTunes and Amazon.

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Brett Eldredge Talks "Lose My Mind" Music Video