Christian Hayes Opens a New Chapter with His 26 EP

passdaaux
Dec 5, 2025
3 min read

Rising Appalachian singer, songwriter, and guitarist Christian Hayes has released 26, a new EP that captures a pivotal moment in his life and career. The six-track project blends rock, folk, and pop with Hayes’ talent for vivid storytelling, offering a collection of songs that reflect on the turbulence of youth and the clarity that follows. 26 is out now via Capitol Records.

A Year of Transition Becomes a Defining Body of Work

Hayes wrote and recorded the EP while he was 26 years old, a period marked by heartbreak, self-reflection, and the difficult work of growing into a new version of himself. Those themes shape standout tracks like the breezy yet bittersweet “Caroline, Oh Caroline” and the high-energy road anthem “65 on the Interstate.” Throughout the project, Hayes balances introspective songwriting with moments of uplifting musical momentum, creating a cohesive arc that moves from looking back to moving forward.

“26 is me closing the door on a version of myself I outgrew,” Hayes says.

He describes the project as a turning point — a farewell to old habits, old expectations, and even an old artistic identity. “This EP is a goodbye to the person everyone else wanted me to be… What’s coming next is the man I’m choosing to be — and the sound that finally fits.”

The Title Track: A Big Question, Followed by a Bigger Realization

The EP’s finale, “26,” captures the emotional essence of the full project. Built on stormy guitar work and lifted by bright keys and full-band energy, the song finds Hayes wrestling with the pressure to have life figured out. He opens with lines about friends marrying, divorcing, or passing away, and the societal push to settle down before time runs out.

But the track ultimately shifts toward hope. Hayes anchors the chorus with a simple, grounding truth: “I’m only 26 and I still got a lot of life to live.” Co-written with Cole Miracle and Billy Dawson and co-produced by Jeremy Schmett, “26” ties together the EP’s journey from uncertainty to self-acceptance.

Across the project, Hayes collaborates with producer Brett Truitt and songwriters including James Maddocks, Jack Riley, and Chance Emerson, broadening his sound while staying rooted in emotional authenticity.

A Growing Artist Coming Into His Own

Hayes first previewed the project in September with “Good As It Gets,” an open-hearted love song that introduced listeners to his evolving sound. Publications like Ones to Watch and TMRW Magazine have praised his transparency, storytelling, and ability to craft songs that feel both personal and universally relatable.

This emotional depth has been present throughout his early career, from his 2024 breakthrough EP Last I Love You (which included the viral hit “LILY”) to his 2025 single “Something to Lose,” later reimagined as a harmony-driven duet with Corey Harper. His releases have earned praise from outlets such as The Luna Collective and playlist support from Holler., Fandom Daily, and Prime Time Country Music.

From Appalachian Roots to a National Stage

Hayes grew up in the foothills of Appalachia, surrounded by a family of storytellers — including his grandfather Jack, who encouraged him to write at age seven. After serving in the U.S. Navy Reserve and attending the University of Alabama, he relocated to Nashville to pursue music professionally, signing with Capitol Records in 2024.

Following appearances this year at CMA Fest, Jackalope Jamboree, and Born & Raised Festival, Hayes is now on the road supporting gavn! across North America.