Today : Jan 29, 2026
Arts & Culture
29 January 2026

Ella Langley’s Dandelion Album Sparks Country Music Buzz

With a chart-topping single and viral TikTok fame, Ella Langley’s sophomore album promises raw emotion and southern storytelling ahead of its April release.

Ella Langley is having a moment, and it’s one that country music fans won’t soon forget. On January 27, 2026, the Alabama-born singer-songwriter officially announced her much-anticipated sophomore album, Dandelion, sending a wave of excitement through her fanbase and the wider music industry. The new record, co-produced with country superstar Miranda Lambert and acclaimed producer Ben West, is set for release on April 10, 2026, and promises to deliver a rich tapestry of heartfelt storytelling, southern grit, and a touch of that signature Langley resilience.

Langley’s announcement came via a heartfelt teaser trailer on her Instagram, where she didn’t just talk music—she opened up about the deeper meaning behind her new project. “Dandelions are masters of survival, thriving in even the harshest environments. Often dismissed as a common weed, this unassuming plant carries a deeper symbolism of hope, healing and resilience. This next record to me has so much growth in it,” she narrated, according to Coyote Country. She continued, “I feel the most myself I’ve ever felt. I want you to dance, I want you to sing, I want you to be able to relate to these words in a way where you don’t feel alone in your thoughts. I want you to not even worry about anything and daydream, and listen to these songs. I want you to enjoy them with your friends and family, and I’ve thought about this record every single day for the last year and a half. And I’m so excited to finally say, ‘Welcome to Dandelion.’”

Fans eager to get their hands on the new album don’t have to wait until April—Langley revealed that Dandelion is already available for pre-order, with options including Signed Honeybee Colored Vinyl, Puffball White Colored Vinyl, and CD editions. The title track, “Dandelion,” is set for early release on January 30, giving listeners a taste of what’s to come.

But Langley’s 2026 isn’t just about anticipation—it’s about achievement. Her breakout single “Choosin’ Texas,” the lead single from Dandelion, has been nothing short of a phenomenon. According to Billboard, the song soared to No. 1 on the Streaming Songs chart dated January 31, 2026, notching an impressive 18 million official U.S. streams in the week ending January 22. This marks Langley’s first time topping the Streaming Songs chart and makes “Choosin’ Texas” only the fourth country song by a lead woman to reach that summit in the chart’s 13-year history—a select group that includes Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em,” Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” and Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well (Taylor’s Version).”

The track’s success doesn’t end there. It debuted at No. 35 and climbed to No. 2 on the Country Airplay chart as of January 31, and it’s been a fixture on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 5 for two weeks and holding strong at No. 6. “Choosin’ Texas” has also dominated the Hot Country Songs chart for nine consecutive weeks and led Country Streaming Songs for four weeks, making it one of the most talked-about country singles of the year. Notably, it’s the first of these rare Streaming Songs chart-toppers to break into the top five (or even top 25) of Country Airplay, underscoring its crossover appeal and widespread radio play.

Langley’s rise has been anything but overnight. Her earlier hits, including “You Look Like You Love Me” (featuring Riley Green) and “Weren’t for the Wind,” both made significant chart impacts in 2024 and 2025, respectively. Yet, “Choosin’ Texas” is the song that has truly catapulted her into the national spotlight. The track’s raw, relatable lyrics—“She’s from Texas, I can tell by the way / He’s two steppin’ around the room / And judging by the smile that’s written on his face / There’s nothing I can do / It doesn’t take a crystal ball to see / A cowboy always finds a way to leave / Drinking Jack all by myself / He’s choosin’ Texas, I can tell”—have resonated deeply with listeners, but they’ve also sparked a viral wave on TikTok, where users have turned some of the lines into a playful (and sometimes NSFW) meme, mishearing “drinking Jack all by myself” in ways Langley surely never intended.

Far from being fazed by the internet’s creative reinterpretations, Langley has embraced the buzz. As reported by Billboard, she described her upcoming album as evoking “the best kind of Sunday afternoon”—windows down, red dirt roads, a little Jack to sip on, and fireflies in the rearview mirror. It’s a vision of rootsy, authentic country living that’s as much about embracing life’s messiness as it is about celebrating its joys. “It is about learning who you are, making mistakes, and embracing it all,” she said.

The 18-track Dandelion album, produced with Miranda Lambert and Ben West, is shaping up to be a testament to Langley’s growth as both a songwriter and performer. While only the title track and “Choosin’ Texas” have been revealed so far, anticipation is building for the full release. As Smooth Radio noted, Langley introduced the album with a handwritten message on her website, reiterating the symbolism of dandelions as survivors—“masters of survival, thriving in even the harshest environments.”

Langley’s schedule for 2026 is as packed as her album’s tracklist. She’s joining Eric Church on his Free The Machine Tour in the U.S. and Toronto in February, and she’ll also share the stage with Morgan Wallen on select dates of his Still The Problem Tour later in the year. Festival appearances are also on the horizon, including major events like Stagecoach, Rock The Country, and Railbird. And for fans in Atlanta, she’s set to perform at Braves Country Fest at Truist Park, joining Cody Johnson and others to celebrate Southern culture and support the Atlanta Braves Foundation. The festival, held in The Battery Atlanta, offers free daytime events and a ticketed nighttime concert, making it a can’t-miss for country enthusiasts.

As for touring her own album, nothing’s been officially announced, but with this much momentum, it’s hard to imagine Langley won’t hit the road with Dandelion in the near future. For now, fans can pre-order the album and listen to “Choosin’ Texas” on repeat—whether they’re crying into their whiskey or laughing at TikTok’s latest misheard lyric trend.

Ella Langley’s journey from promising newcomer to chart-topping artist is a testament to her talent, tenacity, and the universal appeal of a well-told story. With Dandelion on the horizon, she’s poised to leave her mark not just on country music, but on anyone who’s ever felt a little lost, a little hopeful, and a little stubborn—just like a dandelion growing through the cracks.