ArtistDirect News
Midland Set to Drop Fifth Studio Album 'Stages' on June 12, 2026
On June 12 2026, Texas’s neotraditional country trio Midland will release Stages, their fifth studio album, through Blue Highway Records. The 10‑track project follows a string of singles—“Marlboro Man,” “Shooting Memories With Tequila,” “Glass Half Empty,” “I Wish You Would” (featuring Mackenzie Carpenter), and “Drinkin’ Dark Whiskey”—that have already been issued to radio and streaming platforms.
Midland’s journey began with a self‑titled EP in 2016, the same release that birthed the breakout hit “Drinkin’ Problem.” The song climbed the upper echelons of Billboard’s Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts, paving the way for the group’s debut album, On the Rocks, in September 2017. Since that milestone, the trio has added four more studio albums—Let It Roll (2019), The Last Resort: Greetings From (2022), and Barely Blue (2024)—alongside a live recording, Live from the Palomino (2020), and the soundtrack The Sonic Ranch (2021). Stages arrives less than two years after Barely Blue.
The new album stays true to Midland’s signature blend of classic country craftsmanship and modern sensibility. The track list is: 1. Marlboro Man 2. One Day Your Won’t 3. Shooting Memories With Tequila 4. Walk a Mile in My Boots 5. Glass Half Empty 6. I Wish You Would (feat. Mackenzie Carpenter) 7. Up in Texas (feat. Clint Black) 8. Drinking Dark Whiskey 9. Drunk Enough 10. Vaquero
Five of the ten songs were released ahead of the album launch, giving listeners a taste of the record’s fusion of California‑country swagger and timeless neotraditional flavor. “Marlboro Man” kicks off the album with lead vocalist Mark Wystrach’s soaring harmonies, while “I Wish You Would” echoes the duet tradition of “Islands in the Stream” and showcases the chemistry between Midland and Canadian country star Mackenzie Carpenter.
The track “Up in Texas” brings country legend Clint Black into the fold, adding a touch of star power to the lineup. “Drinkin’ Dark Whiskey” is a cover of a song co‑written by Chris Stapleton, and its inclusion highlights Midland’s willingness to reinterpret contemporary country staples within their own sonic framework.
Trent Willmon handled production on the majority of the album, while Jamie Moore produced the duet “I Wish You Would.” Willmon’s background as a country artist and songwriter lends a polished yet authentic sheen, whereas Moore’s touch on the featured track injects a distinct sonic texture.
Musically, Stages prioritizes melody and instrumentation over radio‑oriented hooks. From the honky‑tonk pulse of “Walk a Mile in My Boots” to the reflective mood of “Vaquero,” the songs place Wystrach’s voice front and center against tight, cohesive arrangements.
The album’s release coincides with Midland’s extensive touring schedule, including newly announced European dates in June 2026. The steady output—five studio albums in nine years—underscores the trio’s dedication to the traditional country genre while exploring fresh collaborations and production partnerships.
Available for purchase and streaming on major platforms as of its release date, Stages marks the latest chapter in Midland’s career, continuing their tradition of delivering well‑crafted country music that honors the genre’s roots while embracing contemporary influences.
Midland’s journey began with a self‑titled EP in 2016, the same release that birthed the breakout hit “Drinkin’ Problem.” The song climbed the upper echelons of Billboard’s Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts, paving the way for the group’s debut album, On the Rocks, in September 2017. Since that milestone, the trio has added four more studio albums—Let It Roll (2019), The Last Resort: Greetings From (2022), and Barely Blue (2024)—alongside a live recording, Live from the Palomino (2020), and the soundtrack The Sonic Ranch (2021). Stages arrives less than two years after Barely Blue.
The new album stays true to Midland’s signature blend of classic country craftsmanship and modern sensibility. The track list is: 1. Marlboro Man 2. One Day Your Won’t 3. Shooting Memories With Tequila 4. Walk a Mile in My Boots 5. Glass Half Empty 6. I Wish You Would (feat. Mackenzie Carpenter) 7. Up in Texas (feat. Clint Black) 8. Drinking Dark Whiskey 9. Drunk Enough 10. Vaquero
Five of the ten songs were released ahead of the album launch, giving listeners a taste of the record’s fusion of California‑country swagger and timeless neotraditional flavor. “Marlboro Man” kicks off the album with lead vocalist Mark Wystrach’s soaring harmonies, while “I Wish You Would” echoes the duet tradition of “Islands in the Stream” and showcases the chemistry between Midland and Canadian country star Mackenzie Carpenter.
The track “Up in Texas” brings country legend Clint Black into the fold, adding a touch of star power to the lineup. “Drinkin’ Dark Whiskey” is a cover of a song co‑written by Chris Stapleton, and its inclusion highlights Midland’s willingness to reinterpret contemporary country staples within their own sonic framework.
Trent Willmon handled production on the majority of the album, while Jamie Moore produced the duet “I Wish You Would.” Willmon’s background as a country artist and songwriter lends a polished yet authentic sheen, whereas Moore’s touch on the featured track injects a distinct sonic texture.
Musically, Stages prioritizes melody and instrumentation over radio‑oriented hooks. From the honky‑tonk pulse of “Walk a Mile in My Boots” to the reflective mood of “Vaquero,” the songs place Wystrach’s voice front and center against tight, cohesive arrangements.
The album’s release coincides with Midland’s extensive touring schedule, including newly announced European dates in June 2026. The steady output—five studio albums in nine years—underscores the trio’s dedication to the traditional country genre while exploring fresh collaborations and production partnerships.
Available for purchase and streaming on major platforms as of its release date, Stages marks the latest chapter in Midland’s career, continuing their tradition of delivering well‑crafted country music that honors the genre’s roots while embracing contemporary influences.