Brad Paisley Heads Just ‘Left of Center’ on New Album

Brad Paisley's new album, 'This Is Country Music,' hits shelves in less than a month. With his last five albums all landing at the top of the charts, Brad has found a formula that works. But the multi-platinum-selling singer says he is ready to shake things up -- if only just a little bit.

"'This Is Country Music' is pretty country," Brad tells FOX News. "I go out there on some things that are a little bit left of center, but there's really nothing that wouldn't work on country music and within the boundary."

The new CD, he explains, highlights everything he loves about his favorite genre. "Country music really is about lyrics, and is about going places that maybe other formats don't go," the singer-songwriter maintains. "Country music will sing about somebody getting an illness, they'll sing about patriotism and church and religion and love and heartbreak and drinking. All these things are really themes that they do well, so we tried to fill this album with stuff like that."

The reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year says winning country music's biggest award was the icing on the cake. "You think about the ebb and flow of a career, and you think, 'Alright, I hope people like this new stuff," admits the superstar. "It's been a little while since I've had a new album, it's been a couple years, so you're starting to gear up and you're thinking about the tour and all the things you're doing, then all of a sudden [the award] hits, and it's great."

'This Is Country Music' will hit shelves on May 23. See the complete track listing here. Brad will kick off his H20 II World Tour on May 28 in Pittsburgh, Pa., with Blake Shelton, Darius Rucker and Jerrod Niemann all appearing on select dates. Keep track of his concert schedule here.