CMT News

Keith Urban has selected Defying Gravity as the title of his new album, set for release on March 31. The official announcement was made Thursday morning (Jan. 22). The project's first single, "Sweet Thing," has already climbed to No. 8 on Billboard's country chart. "I've always approached making records as a journey where I just have to let myself go," he said. "If the conditions are just right the music will reflect the mood and feeling of where I am in my life." Explaining the album title, he added, "Defying Gravity comes from the lyrics of a song on the album, and it just struck me at the time as a phrase that really defined the joyous, optimistic and uplifting spirit that seemed to show itself while making the album." In May, Urban will launch his Escape Together world tour with shows in 58 cities in North America. The tour will feature a revolving list of other acts, including Taylor Swift, Sugarland, Dierks Bentley, Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum and the Zac Brown Band.