WALKER HAYES RETURNS WITH NEW SINGLE “BACK BY THEN”

Multi-platinum hitmaker Walker Hayes returns with new feel-good single “Back By Then”, his first independent release and the beginning of a new chapter for an artist who has built a career doing things his own way.

Infectious, high-energy and packed with undeniable hooks, “Back By Then” finds Hayes blending country, pop and hip-hop with his unmistakable personality. Driven by clever wordplay and a beat made to move to, the song taps into the sense of fun that has fueled some of the biggest moments of his career. That energy carries into the official music video, featuring a new dance primed for fans to make their own.

“Going independent means I’m the A&R guy, the promo guy, and the intern,” shares Hayes. “I’ve been in a lot of meetings with myself lately — we agree on everything. This song is a banger and the next ones will be too”

After reaching a level of mainstream success few artists ever achieve, Hayes is making music independently for the first time, giving him the freedom to create and release music on his own terms. The move is fitting for an artist whose career has never followed a traditional playbook, from his genre-blurring sound and deeply personal songwriting to the cultural phenomenon of the 7X-platinum “Fancy Like.” Following his introspective 2025 album 17 Problems, “Back By Then” offers the first glimpse of what’s ahead, with more new music to come.

Hayes is also expanding beyond music, making his acting debut later this fall in Netflix’s highly anticipated upcoming holiday romantic comedy Guarding Stars, alongside Leighton Meester and Jared Padalecki, streaming November 18.