Since releasing his third major-label studio album, The 21 Project, in November 2015, Hunter Hayes has been busy at work, writing more than 100 new songs and building a mobile studio to be able to record music at the drop of a hat.

Last month, Hunter released three new tracks—“Yesterday’s Song,” “Amen” and “Youngblood”—available for streaming on his birthday (Sept. 9) to allow fans to hear some of the new music he’s been working on.

Today (Oct. 3) the Louisiana native is releasing the first single, “Yesterday’s Song,” from his upcoming album to country radio.

“I’m beyond excited to share this new single with everyone,” Hunter said in a statement. “I’ve been on such an incredible journey this past year, not just musically but personally as well. There’s always been that next goal to reach, whether it was a single or an album or an arena tour, and this is the first time I’ve really been able to kind of step back from all of that and just let my instincts and creativity flow.”

The new single, written by Hunter, Barry Dean and Martin Johnson, is an uptempo rocker that puts Hunter’s creativity on display while proving that the 25-year-old’s sound has evolved.

“I’ve waited a long time to get this new music out, and ‘Yesterday’s Song’ really captures that free feeling, that joyous realization that you’re moving on and starting this fresh, new chapter,” adds Hunter.

Listen to “Yesterday’s Song” and judge for yourself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHwF0V2N3sQ