Ruthie Foster New Single “Take Time” Out Now

 Today, Austin-based GRAMMY Award-winning artist Ruthie Foster released “Take Time,” the second single from her forthcoming new studio album, Just Say Yes. Slated for release on August 28 via Sun Records, the 10-track LP is a fearless, soul-stirring statement from one of music’s most vital voices, celebrating joy, overcoming struggle, connection, and self-discovery.

Listen to “Take Time” here // Watch lyric video here // Pre-order Just Say Yes here

Co-written by Tyler Bryant (The Shakedown) and Foster, the blues-y, mid-tempo feel-good song “Take Time” features Foster’s signature vocals soaring over a Southern soul organ line and a melodic electric guitar solo. Inspired by her mother’s encouragement to get ahead in hard times, the new single celebrates the small steps that lead to big wins in life, reflecting the album’s central theme.

Speaking on the song’s inspiration, Foster shares, "Some songs are written to get you moving. This one was written to bring you home to yourself. Take time. It’s the one thing you can never get back.”

“Take Time” follows the release of the spirited single, “Thank You,” which blends rock, blues, and gospel with high-octane riffs and rich harmonies. A fervent meditation on the feeling of imposter syndrome, the soulful singer reflects on being questioned on her authenticity as a blues performer, despite her various accolades, including a GRAMMY Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album and multiple nominations.

Her boldest chapter yet, Just Say Yes captures the full scope of Foster’s journey. “I’m amazed at how I got to this place,” Foster says. Just last year, the blues legend took home her first-ever GRAMMY Award, winning Best Contemporary Blues Album for her album Mileage. The award was a long time coming for the star, who has been hustling to make a life as an artist possible for over three decades. Foster was first signed to a major label after completing her tour of duty as part of the US Navy. She then abandoned music in 1993 to take care of her mom, who had fallen ill. Shortly after her mother’s death, the singer decided to find a path back to music as an independent artist.

Produced in Nashville by Tyler Bryant and co-written alongside Bryant and Rebecca Lovell (Larkin Poe), the eclectic album, which spans soul, roots, and blues, finds Ruthie fully embracing the word YES, and living life in all its complexity. Navigating her life experiences as they come, Foster sees both obstacles and opportunities as catalysts for growth, transformation, and forward motion.

“I wrote this thing on a sticky note and it just said ‘Just say yes,’” she recalls.

Just Say Yes follows Foster in another moment of transition. Last year, she blew out her meniscus while running to catch a flight and needed to get knee surgery in December. The injury and subsequent recovery have put much of Foster’s life into perspective; she’s made adjustments to her live show to make sure she doesn’t put too much strain on her body. “It’s not just about age. It’s really about the miles I’ve put on,” she says. “Every step matters.”

Foster decided to take advantage of her winter break from touring by planning a week in Nashville to record before getting her knee surgery. She reunited with her Mileage collaborators, Tyler Bryant (of the Shakedown) and his wife, Rebecca Lovell (of Larkin Poe), in Nashville, staying at an AirBnB near their house so she could work out of Bryant’s new studio. This time around, it became a larger family affair: Lovell’s sister and Larkin Poe collaborator Megan Lovell joined them in the studio as well as Megan’s husband Mike Seal.

“Every last one of these songs are about some aspect of my life,” Foster explains. She ruminated on the transitions of this moment, both physical and emotional. As she was enduring her injury, she was also facing uncertainty in her relationship. She and her partner were living separately at the time and the relationship was under considerable strain. She felt like both her body and her defenses were breaking down simultaneously, forcing her to peel away the layers and re-discover herself at the core.

“This was my way of being true to who I am and knowing that I’m in yet another transition in my life, which is how these albums tend to happen,” she continues.

TRACKLIST

1. Thank You

2. Come on Up (ft. Larkin Poe)

3. Hold On

4. Yes

5. Take Time

6. Doubling Back

7. Tangled

8. Sitting Still

9. Maybe It Up

10. Reachin’