Dierks Bentley’s new album title Black is both literal and metaphorical. The singer promises an album filled with dark moments, but also some sexy and quick-witted cuts. Once again it will be a very personal album.

Black is also Bentley’s wife Cassidy’s maiden name, something the singer mentions in a press release, indicating lyrics inspired by or aimed at her might be coming. “A lot of it happens after dark, in the black of night,” he adds.

Black will be his eighth studio album on Capitol Nashville and his first since Riser was released in February 2014. Five singles came from Riser, including the platinum-selling No. 1 hits “I Hold On” and “Drunk on a Plane,” and the personal title track. At times Riser felt like pages torn from a diary, and that won’t change. But the songs on Black songs could go back further in his memory.

“The songs on Black range from the lonesomeness of an impossible relationship to ones that describe the feeling of finding that person that makes you forget the one that broke your heart,” Bentley says. Past relationships are recalled often. Producer Ross Copperman will return for a second Bentley album. They started recording almost a year ago but took a break to tour this summer.

While no release date for a preview or the Black album was announced, a new single in the coming weeks seems likely. Bentley will be hosting the 2016 ACM Awards in Las Vegas on April 3, and high-profile appearances like that typically come with new music.

On Monday (Jan. 11) at 7:30PM ET Bentley will host a Twitter chat with fans at @DierksBentley.

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