When Carter Faith released Cherry Valley earlier this year, she’d crafted something deliberately theatrical—a debut album that Rolling Stone named the Number Two country album of 2025, built entirely on her own twisted vision of sex, drugs, and country music. The album featured no guest spots, just 15 tracks of classic twang filtered through a distinctly modern and subversive lens. Now, she’s expanding that Cherry Valley universe with a deluxe reissue coming July 24, and this time she’s brought reinforcement.
The new edition features five additional songs, including the previously released“Ain’t Over Yet,”but the standout is a collaboration with Wyatt Flores on a ballad called“Nothin’Better to Do.”Written by Faith, Shane McAnally, and Tofer Brown, the track captures two broken hearts finding temporary refuge in each other—a narrative that fits perfectly within Faith’s theatrical, Alice in Wonderland-inspired world she’s described for the project. An official music video dropped this past Friday.
Faith has been remarkably clear about her creative intentions: she wanted to build a fantastical dreamland and populate it with songs that belonged there. That commitment to atmosphere over formula is part of why Cherry Valley landed so high on year-end lists despite being a debut. There’s no apology in her sound, no attempt to soften the edges for commercial palatability. Even her referenced love for Billy Bob Thornton feels deliberate—part of the aesthetic.
The timing of the deluxe release matters too. Faith is currently touring with Post Malone, and she just earned an ACM nomination for Album of the Year—a rare distinction for a debut that speaks to how her artistic vision has resonated beyond the usual country gatekeepers. She’s creating something that doesn’t fit neatly into existing boxes, which is exactly why people are paying attention.
Meanwhile, Flores is gearing up for his own release. Scared of Heights drops July 31, produced by Charlie Handsome, Jacob“J Kash”Hindlin, and Gian Stone. With tracks like“Drive All Night”and“Runnin’on E,”the album explores new, more propulsive dynamics in his vulnerable country sound—suggesting he’s evolving his own artistic identity as well. Two artists in motion, finding points of intersection and pushing forward separately.
About the Author
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
