Lauren Watkins to Release DAYDREAMS Ahead of New Album

Lauren Watkins has released 'Daydreams,' a solo-written ballad arriving as the final preview of her upcoming 12-track record, If I'm Being Honest, due Sept. 25.

With 'Daydreams,' the Nashville native looks back on the life she once pictured and how that picture has changed along the way. Carried by a simple vocal and acoustic guitar, the song reflects on what she wanted, all she's accomplished and what she finds herself dreaming about now. Rather than looking back with regret, Watkins captures a shift in perspective as her priorities continue to evolve.

''Daydreams' came from realizing that as exciting as it is to play sold-out shows and wake up every day in a new city, I still daydream about things like being at home on the back porch,' shares Watkins. 'In a lot of ways, I'm living the dream I always had, but I've also seen behind the curtain enough to realize that the things that fulfill me most can look a little different these days. I wouldn't say my dreams have changed, but they've evolved. And they'll probably keep evolving forever.'

'Daydreams' continues a summer of new music from Watkins, following May's 'Heartbreakaholic,' June's 'Convenient,' and July's 'Better Love Next Time.' The four tracks begin to sketch the world of If I'm Being Honest, a project that finds Watkins sharpening the honest, detail-rich writing that has long set her apart.

Produced by Will Bundy with co-production on select tracks from Joey Moi, If I'm Being Honest finds Watkins stripping things back without losing any of her edge. Across the tracklist, Watkins pairs her earthy vocal and graceful nonchalance with sharp, detail-rich writing, finding something worth saying in the ordinary moments most people overlook.

The upcoming record follows Watkins' 2024 debut, The Heartbroken Record, a 17-track introduction to her lyrical truth-telling and old-school instincts, and 2025's In A Perfect World, a 10-song collection that saw the country storyteller evolving as the idea of home came into focus. Where her debut leaned into heartbreak with a rebel edge, In A Perfect World captured a season of growth and self-discovery. On If I'm Being Honest, Watkins carries both sides forward, pairing the bite of her earliest writing with the perspective that comes from a few more years of actually living it.

Tickets are on sale now for Watkins' headlining If I'm Being Honest Tour, which includes her first-ever hometown headline show at Nashville's Exit/In on Thursday, Oct. 8, as well as stops in Orlando, Chicago, Knoxville and more. The tour will follow recent dates with Dylan Scott and upcoming dates with Luke Bryan as Watkins continues bringing her old-school country grit and 'direct-yet-poetic songwriting' (Billboard) to stages across the country.

Last year, Watkins made her debut on some of music's biggest stages, including the Grand Ole Opry, NBC's TODAY and Madison Square Garden, as well as touring with Zach Top, Riley Green and Lainey Wilson. Following a breakout year of firsts, Watkins enters the second half of 2026 with If I'm Being Honest on the way and a few things still left to get off her chest. For tour dates and more information, fans can keep up with Watkins at laurenwatkins.com and on TikTok, Instagram and .

Tracklist

1. 'Pulling Weeds' (Lauren Watkins, Lauren Hungate, Luke Laird, Caroline Watkins)

2. 'Heartbreakaholic' (Lauren Watkins, Will Bundy, Rodney Clawson, Nicolle Galyon)

3. 'Convenient' (Lauren Watkins, Will Bundy, Emily Landis, Mark Trussell)

4. 'Main Street' (Lauren Watkins, Will Bundy, Lauren Hungate, Josh Miller)

5. 'Daydreams' (Lauren Watkins)

6. 'Better Love Next Time' (Lauren Watkins, Will Bundy, Lauren Hungate, Mark Trussell)

7. 'Sunshine & Daisies' (Lauren Watkins, Lauren Hungate, Luke Laird, Caroline Watkins)

8. 'KOA' (Lauren Watkins, Will Bundy, Mark Trussell, Lydia Vaughan)

9. 'How's Your Mama 'N Them' (Lauren Watkins, Nicolle Galyon, Jordan Minton, Mark Trussell)

10. 'What I Think About You' (Lauren Watkins, Will Bundy, Lauren Hungate, Mark Trussell)

11. 'Prayer List' (Lauren Watkins, Mia Mantia, Chase McGill)

12. 'Curtains' (Lauren Watkins, Rodney Clawson, Nicolle Galyon, Kat Higgins)

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