Keith Urban’s ‘Flow State’ Brings Yacht Rock to a New Horizon

Keith Urban, a renowned country music artist, has ventured into uncharted territory with his 2026 album, ‘Flow State.’ This release includes a collaboration with music legend Michael McDonald and features ten yacht rock covers. Yacht rock is a term associated with soft rock tracks from the mid-to-late ’70s and early ’80s. Notable examples include Player’s ‘Baby Come Back’ and Grover Washington Jr. and Bill Withers’ ‘Just the Two of Us.’

An Unanticipated Shift

Despite his success in country music, Urban surprised many, including himself, with this genre shift. ‘I didn’t either, no,’ he laughed about the unexpected move.

The Making of ‘Flow State’

Urban revitalized the former Tracking Room studio in Nashville, naming it The Sound. He decided to inaugurate the space by recording a yacht rock song, a genre he has always appreciated. Alongside producer Dann Huff and session musicians, Urban initially recorded two songs in one day. Inspired by these sessions, more recordings followed. What was initially thought to be an EP transformed into a full-length album.

‘Flow State’ features Urban’s unique touch. Rather than trying to replicate the classics, he experimented with extended outros. For instance, ‘Summer Breeze’ ended with an improvised segment of keyboard and acoustic guitar, adding a personal touch while honoring the original composition.

Collaborations and Originality

The album includes notable collaborations, such as Little Big Town on Walter Egan’s ‘Magnet and Steel,’ and John Mayer on Bread’s ‘The Guitar Man.’

The album’s only original track, ‘We Go Back,’ features Michael McDonald. The song narrates a story of a couple who reconnect later in life. Urban, along with BRELAND, Sam Sumser, and Sean Small, penned this tune in 2020. Fast forward to 2026, the opportunity to collaborate with McDonald arose, bringing their vision to life.

A Soothing Presence in Difficult Times

Urban selected the songs for ‘Flow State’ based on their timeless nature and modern relevance. The music serves as an outlet during tumultuous times, offering listeners a momentary escape from division and stress. For Urban, the album provided solace amid personal challenges, including his divorce from actor Nicole Kidman. Despite the challenges, Urban expresses gratitude for how the album turned out.

‘The record’s called ‘Flow State’ for a very good reason,’ he said, highlighting the album’s theme of constant movement. It connected people, providing a brief respite and a chance to share a common emotion.