Wynonna Judd has announced The Hard Truth, her first solo studio album in 10 years.
The country singer announced the album on June 9 and released the lead single, “Kentucky Queen,” the same day. People reported that The Hard Truth will be released on Oct. 2.
The album was produced by Judd’s husband, Cactus Moser, and took five years to make. Judd wrote in her announcement that the songs cover “heartbreak, healing, faith, and survival.”
The Hard Truth follows her 2016 solo studio album Wynonna & The Big Noise. In the years between those releases, Judd returned to the road after the 2022 death of her mother and longtime musical partner, Naomi Judd.
Judd Announced the Album With Kentucky Queen
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“Kentucky Queen” is the first song released from The Hard Truth. Judd’s official site describes the album as a set of new songs built around “grit, grace and hard-won wisdom.”
MusicRow reported that the album will be released through ANTI-Records. The publication also shared the project’s track list, which includes collaborations with Patterson Hood, Iron & Wine, and The War and Treaty.
Judd said in her announcement that she wanted the record to tell the truth about where she has been, what she has lost, what she has overcome, and who she has become.
The Track List Includes Patterson Hood, Iron & Wine, and The War and Treaty
MusicRow listed the album’s tracks as “Prelude (All Downhill From Ashland),” “All Downhill From Ashland,” “Everything” featuring Patterson Hood, “Am I Missing Out,” “Broken And Blessed,” “Hear Me Now” featuring Iron & Wine, “The Hopeful Lie” featuring The War and Treaty, “Kentucky Queen,” “Girl Who Could Sing,” “Drive,” and “Love Ain’t Got The Best Of Me.”
The official album page describes The Hard Truth as a 10-song project. MusicRow’s list includes 11 entries because it counts the opening prelude separately.
People reported that Moser produced the album. MusicRow quoted Moser saying that helping Judd bring the songs to life was “the most important work” he has known.
The Album Follows The Judds’ Final Tour
People reported that Judd went on The Judds: The Final Tour after Naomi Judd died in 2022. The tour had originally been planned as a mother-daughter run before Naomi’s death.
Judd later spoke about that period on Talking in Circles with Clint Black, where she said she had to decide whether the loss would define her. People quoted her saying she went on tour because fans had bought tickets and were there for her.
The new album announcement uses similar language about loss and endurance, but the release details are straightforward: new songs, an Oct. 2 album date, and a lead single tied to Judd’s Kentucky roots.
She Will Play Kentucky Shows Around the Album Release
Judd is also touring this year. People reported that she will tour with Melissa Etheridge beginning June 24.
Her official site lists a Kentucky album-release run in the fall. The posted dates include Sept. 30 at the Lexington Opera House in Lexington, Oct. 1 at The Virginia in Somerset, and Oct. 2 at the Paramount Arts Center in Ashland.
Live Nation also lists Judd’s Oct. 2 Ashland show as part of the Kentucky Queen Tour. That date falls on the same day The Hard Truth is scheduled for release.