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Dan Smyers couldn’t resist a reference to a smash-hit Dan + Shay single when he said that he and duo partner Shay Mooney “re-built our relationship (wait for it) from the ground up.” It all happened while they joined forces to create what Smyers says is their “best album yet,” due later this year.
Smyers shared that he took a break from social media to “take back control of my life” and focus on music. Over the course of a year and a half spending time with Mooney and making their next album, Bigger Houses, and “we had FUN making this album.” Recording the music in the studio offered a nostalgic feeling reminiscent of the duo’s earlier days in their career 10 years ago. Symers reflected on everything in a lengthy Instagram caption on Friday (July 14), the same day Dan + Shay released three new songs from their upcoming project:
“I haven’t spent much time on social media lately (sorry algorithm) because I decided to take back control of my life and focus on the thing in this business that truly makes me the happiest: MUSIC. Shay and I re-built our relationship (wait for it) from the ground up and spent the last year and a half together making what we think is our best album yet. Most importantly, we had FUN making this album. Everyday in the studio felt as exciting as it did 10 years ago when we made our debut, and I think that whether you’re listening for it or not, you’ll hear a little bit of that magic in these songs. Thank you to everyone who has supported our dream all these years, we hope you’re as proud of this music as we are. We’re incredibly grateful for all you have given us and we’ll never take any of it for granted. Here’s to the start of our best era yet, BIGGER HOUSES. 🏠”
Smyers’ wife, Abby Smyers, wrote in a heartfelt commend that she’s “so incredibly proud” of her husband: “Your musical talent is obvious but I know the work you have put in on your mental health and your personal happiness. Thank you for your boundary setting, your tremendous work ethic and the all of the millions of ways you show up for me and prioritize my happiness in ways no one sees. You are a remarkable human being and I’m so lucky to be your wife. ❤️”
Among others praising Smyers and the duo’s vulnerability was friend and duo partner Mooney, who wrote: “Love you bro. Never been so proud of any project ever. And I’m so freakin proud of all the work you put in not only on this project, but on yourself. It’s next level. 🙌🏻”
Dan + Shay kickstarted their next era of music with three new songs from their upcoming album: “Save Me The Trouble,” “Heartbreak On The Map” and “Bigger Houses.” The full album is set to release on September 15.
“We named the album BIGGER HOUSES because this song represents exactly where we are in our lives right now,” Dan + Shay shared. “Happiness is all about being surrounded by people you love, and we’re learning that more and more everyday. We’re grateful for each other, grateful for our families, and grateful for all of you who are the reason we get to wake up and make music for a living. Thanks for all the kind words on the 3 new songs so far, we can’t wait for you to hear the rest.”