Sam Hunt is ready to release a follow-up to the genre-busting smash "Body Like a Back Road." "Downtown's Dead" is the name of Hunt's new song which will be shipped to country radio on Wednesday morning (May 16).

Update: Listen to "Downtown's Dead" HERE.

A clip of Hunt's "Downtown's Dead" was sent to radio stations nationwide on Monday. Fans hear a song that's initially in line with his hits from Montevallo (2014). Rhythmic production over a heavy lyric that finds the singer longing for a lover was the signature of platinum selling singles like "Take Your Time," "Make You Miss Me" and "Break Up in a Small Town." "Body Like a Back Road" was more buoyant with Hunt singing effortlessly about his woman's physical beauty.

Some "Downtown's Dead" lyrics: "Just another Tuesday night without you /As long as you're still in my head / There ain't no way I can paint a ghost town red / Downtown's dead / Downtown's dead."

A common thread of all these singles, plus others on his debut album, are the writers. Hunt, Josh Osborne, Zach Crowell and Shane McAnally co-wrote "Downtown's Dead." It's the same foursome that penned "Body Like a Back Road." Some combination of two or three of these writers was also part of every song on Montevallo, an album produced by Crowell and McAnally.

Where Has Sam Hunt Been? 

The release of "Downtown's Dead" comes after several false starts from within his record label that new music would be coming. It's unusual for an artist to take such a long break from music at the peak of popularity unless it's an announced, extended absence in between albums. For months the 33-year-old has spoken in general terms about his second studio album, but admits in an interview with Yahoo that he has competing priorities.

"It hasn’t come together in a way that would really make a great album," he says of the writing and producing process. Hunt also adds that he hasn't been interested in putting in the kind of time it would require "to produce a record at the level which I’m operating right now."

In 2017, Hunt married longtime on-and-off girlfriend Hannah Lee Fowler. He continues to tour. Last summer's 15 in a 30 Tour was one of the hottest tickets of the year, and this year he is planning stadium shows with Luke Bryan. Hunt will also headline the 2018 Taste of Country Music Festival, June 8-10 in Hunter, N.Y.

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