Today, Country hitmaker Ashley Cooke launches her next era with an all-new song called “xs” — a clear-eyed, no-regrets breakup anthem spotlighting the depth and resonance of her infinitely relatable songwriting. Go here to listen to “xs” now.
Earlier this month, Cooke stoked major anticipation for “xs” by performing the song onstage at The O2 in London during her triumphant return to C2C: Country to Country. To create the moody midtempo track, Cooke co-wrote alongside several of Nashville’s most sought-after songwriters: Ashley Gorley (a 12-time ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year winner whose credits include Morgan Wallen’s 12X Platinum “Last Night”), Emily Weisband (a GRAMMY winner known for her work with Keith Urban, Lady A, and many more), and Will Weatherly (a MULTI-PLATINUM hitmaker who’s penned songs for superstars like Carrie Underwood and Rascal Flatts).
Produced by the legendary Dann Huff (Dolly Parton, Taylor Swift), “xs” traces a slow-burn betrayal where wandering eyes and whispered rumors end in a line crossed and a love she won’t take back. With equal parts defiant spirit and raw sensitivity, Cooke transforms a classic cheating story into a matter-of-fact reckoning, refusing to indulge any excuses or attempts at making up (from the chorus: “Oh don’t deny I know you did it / Oh doesn’t matter how you spin it / Want me back after that forget it / Don’t you know crossing lines makes xs?”). Recorded with elite session players like guitarist Ilya Toshinskiy (Kelsea Ballerini, Tim McGraw) and drummer Jerry Roe (Luke Combs, Cody Johnson), “xs” matches its mood of weary frustration with a low-lit backdrop of searing guitar tones and softly brooding rhythms.
Following the breakout success of songs like “baby blues” (a soulful and smoldering track that reached the No. 1 spot on SiriusXM The Highway’s Hot 30 Countdown in early March) and “the hell you are” (currently climbing the Country radio charts), “xs” arrives just two weeks after the release of the ace sessions — a stripped-back, all-acoustic offering featuring songs from her 2025 project ace. Her most personal output to date, ace earned praise from the likes of Holler (who noted that the nine-song effort “epitomizes why Cooke has cemented herself as a key figure in the contemporary country music landscape”).
Prior to releasing ace, the Florida-born singer/songwriter made an unforgettable first impression with her 2023 debut, shot in the dark — a 24-song album that delivered her GOLD-certified hits “never til now” and “your place” and won raves from leading publications like Billboard (who stated that “Cooke deftly mixes stories of love, heartbreak and lessons learned along the way, and showcases a range of sonic styles — all underpinned by her powerful but accessible vocals”).
Tonight at the Appalachian Wireless Arena in Pikeville, KY, Cooke wraps up her recent run as support for MULTI-PLATINUM powerhouse Jon Pardi’s HONKYTONK HOLLYWOOD TOUR. Later this spring, she’ll make her debut appearance at Tortuga Music Festival in Fort Lauderdale (April 10), joining a star-packed lineup including Post Malone, Riley Green, Kenny Chesney, and more. For additional info on Cooke’s upcoming live dates, visit ashleycooke.com.
