Ashley Cooke is giving fans another intimate glimpse into her highly anticipated self-titled sophomore album, ashley cooke, with the release of two emotionally rich new tracks, "famous to frances" and "johnny 'n june." Arriving ahead of the album's August 14 release via Big Loud Records/Back Blocks Music, the pair of songs showcases Cooke's gift for transforming deeply personal experiences into universally relatable Country anthems.
On "famous to frances," Cooke blends wit, vulnerability, and sharp songwriting into one of her most memorable releases yet. Penned alongside Johnny Clawson and Kyle Sturrock, the slow-burning track chronicles the emotional limbo of a relationship that exists almost entirely in her head—but dominates every therapy session. Referencing her real-life therapist in the chorus, Cooke delivers clever lines with disarming honesty, proving once again why she's become one of Country music's most compelling young storytellers.
If "famous to frances" offers a knowing smile through heartbreak, "johnny 'n june" leans fully into bittersweet reflection. Written with Lauren Hungate, Emily Weisband, and Will Weatherly, the haunting ballad borrows its title from Country music's most legendary love story, only to tell a far more intimate tale. Through vivid imagery of summer rain, thunderstorms, moonlight, and cheap wine, Cooke captures the lingering ache of a love that never quite became what it could have been, questioning whether she'll ever experience that same spark again.
Both tracks were produced by legendary hitmaker Dann Huff and further build anticipation for ashley cooke, an album that marks a significant evolution from her acclaimed 2023 debut, shot in the dark. The project also features fan favorites including her current Country radio single "baby blues," which topped SiriusXM The Highway's Hot 30 Countdown, along with recent releases "the hell you are," "xs," and "high school sweetheart."
PHOTO: PATRICK TRACY
The upcoming collection boasts an impressive lineup of collaborators, with songwriting contributions from industry heavyweights including Liz Rose, Lori McKenna, Ashley Gorley, Hillary Lindsey, and GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter JP Saxe, reinforcing Cooke's growing reputation as one of Nashville's strongest young voices.
Since breaking through with her Gold-certified No. 1 hit "your place," Cooke has steadily built an impressive résumé. Along the way, she's earned ACM and iHeartRadio Music Award nominations, collaborated with artists including Joe Jonas and Brantley Gilbert, toured alongside Luke Bryan, Kane Brown, Parker McCollum, and Jon Pardi, and even made her acting debut earlier this year with a cameo on CBS' Marshals.
Following the album's release, Cooke will hit the road on her 28-date baby blues world tour, launching September 17 in Cleveland before making stops across the United States and the United Kingdom. The global trek will culminate with a milestone performance at Nashville's iconic Ryman Auditorium on February 25. With "famous to frances" and "johnny 'n june," Ashley Cooke continues proving that heartbreak remains one of Country music's greatest storytelling tools—and few artists are delivering those stories with more honesty, heart, and modern perspective than she is today.