Continuing their hot streak.
It’s not often you see an artist, duo or group release two separate albums in a single year, but that’s exactly what Muscadine Bloodline did in 2025. In addition to their follow-up to 2024’s The Coastal Plain, April’s …And What Was Left Behind, the Alabama duo added to their fast-growing discography with the surprise release of Longleaf Lo-Fi, a stripped-back acoustic album, to close the year in November.
Undeniably, it would already be impressive to produce two albums in the same year that are as good as the aforementioned …And What Was Left Behind and Longleaf Lo-Fi. With that being said, however, it becomes even more impressive when you look at just how busy the duo, comprised of Charlie Muncaster and Gary Stanton, truly were throughout the entirety of 2025, and they showed no signs of slowing down this year as well.
They’ve finally been catching some mainstream buzz as of late. Notably, they’ve scored Duo of the Year nominations two years in a row at the ACM Awards, and just last week, they scored their first-ever Vocal Duo of the Year nod at the upcoming CMA Awards this month. Couple that with opening up for the likes of superstars like Ella Langley, Post Malone and Lainey Wilson, the Alabama natives have been on an absolute tear.
After the aforementioned massive year with two projects in 2025, they slowed down a bit this year from a new music standpoint, releasing re-recorded versions of some of their biggest hits on The Sound of Roses in May. With that being said, they announced back in March that they had finished recording their sixth studio album, calling the project “a whole different beast.”
Back in September, they officially entered their new era of music with the release of their first new single of the year, “Escatawpa Hollow.” Upon the announcement of the new track, the duo would acknowledge the gap in new music. However, they’d promise the wait will be worth it, explaining that they’ve pushed their boundaries to the limit and brought their absolute best with this new chapter.
“We haven’t put out new music in almost a year but, we’ve been quietly writing, recording and creating the next chapter of Muscadine Bloodline. Never been more excited to share what we’ve been working on and the wait is almost over.
We’ve taken our time, we’ve pushed our boundaries and we’re bringing you our very best. Buckle up, as we take y’all on the wildest ride through South Mississippi and it all starts at this place on the AL/MS line called…”Escatawpa Hollow”
Today, they’re back with their second track off the upcoming project with the brand new single, “Blue Bayou.”
Discussing the track, Muscadine would note that they penned “Blue Bayou” with 6x Grammy nominee, Julia Michaels, who has written smash hits for the likes of Keith Urban, Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter, Selena Gomez and more. Here, they’d explain they knew they had something special on their hands after finishing the write with Michaels.
“Wrote this song with Julia Michaels last year and when we wrapped it up in the studio, we knew we had something special on our hands.
Blue Bayou is not just where this song takes place. Being “blue” beside someone is a position you have choose when it comes to true love. It’s that ‘If you’re going through it, I’m going through it’ kinda love. It’s a reminder that it isn’t just a feeling, it’s called to be an action as well.
We are pumped to finally have this one out in the world and we know y’all have been asking for it. The wait is over at Midnight!”
It’s safe to say that they were correct with their assessment of the song upon its release.
If there’s one thing that cannot be denied about Muscadine as a duo, it’s just how versatile they are. Coming off the heels of “Escatawpa Hollow,” a high-energy romp that felt equally southern-fried as it was inspired by their punk roots, “Blue Bayou” slows things down and adds yet another killer love song to their ever-growing discography.
An earnest, heartfelt look at undying love, Stanton and Muncaster lay it all on the line on “Blue Bayou.” In particular, the incredibly melodic chorus contains one of my favorite uses of a double entendre of the year, turning the titular “blue bayou” into the narrator telling his lover he’ll be “blue by you” through all of her hurt.
“To sleep beside you every night, I’d like to
Take all your secrets to the grave, I’d die too
And when you want to be alone, that’s fine too
But if you need me when you cry, I’ll be
Blue Bayou”
Overall, “Blue Bayou” is the second track to start what is likely to be a defining album for the Alabama duo. Over the past year or so, it seems as if they keep raising the bar to an unreachable level. With that being said, however, they soar past it every time, and it’s proven once again here.
“Blue Bayou”