Keith Urban is looking ahead in 2026. The 58-year-old reveals how he wants to better himself this year, especially with his music.
“Guitar-playing-wise, I’d like to work on playing less,” Urban tells his producer, Dann Huff (via Parade). “Not playing the next two notes I was about to play. Just having confidence that the one you’re playing right now is more than enough — and letting it sit for a second.”
“And just being aware that I’m aware,” he continues. “That I’m none of the voices in my head — I’m just the one listening. Because it simplifies everything and brings it right back to a very calm, steady, grounded place, but it’s a constant process.”
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Keith Urban Reveals Personal Goals For 2026
In addition to simplifying his music, Urban also wants to simplify his life, one of his biggest goals for 2026.
“A friend of mine said, just work on how you introduce yourself to the day,” Urban shares. “I thought that was an absolutely beautiful phrase. He said to me, ‘How do you introduce yourself to the day, every day?’ And I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, I love that. I love that… You get to do it every day.”
“That’s where I’m at,” he adds. “Simplifying. Simplifying is my journey this year.”
What Keith Urban Says About New Music
Urban’s HIGH album was released in 2024, followed by a deluxe version of the record last year. In December, the father of two released his High And A(Live) album, 20 songs recorded on his High And Alive World Tour. Last September, Urban said he was working on another record, in addition to his live album. Although he has yet to reveal many details about that project, Urban does hint that his next set of tunes might be different than anything he has released in the past.
“I’m in a different part of the journey. … So there’s a lot of poetry in my input right now.,” Urban reveals. “Lots. Yeah, poetry would be in my music right now. Not rhyming poetry, but more philosophical poetry that’s really profound to me.”
When discussing his next record last year, the New Zealand native said he was eager to share what he has been working on with the world.
“I’ve been writing quite a bit,” Urban tells Country Countdown USA. “I’ve been recording quite a bit. I’m looking forward to getting back into the studio. That’s what I do. I don’t have hobbies. I love music. That’s what I do.”
A fan of playing live, Urban admits he is a bit fearful of AI, and its impact on music in the future.
“I cannot even wrap my head around the fact that we are creating our own demise,” he says (via American Songwriter). “It is insane. I hope that our point of view still matters.”
Photo Credit: CMA / Natasha Moustache