WA Country Music Awards’ Emerging Artist of the Year, Shannon Smith, is making a bold statement in an era dominated by streaming services. The award-winning singer-songwriter is set to release his highly anticipated album Out of the Shadows on May 2, 2025, but fans looking to stream it on Spotify or Apple Music will have to wait until the end of the year—and even then, they’ll be missing out. The album will feature exclusive extended versions of select tracks that will never be available on streaming platforms.
Instead, Smith is bringing the value back to physical music. Out of the Shadows will be available only on vinyl, CD, and direct digital download through his website and Bandcamp, ensuring that true music lovers and collectors get something special for their support.
To launch the album campaign, Smith is dropping the first single, Break Free, on March 7, 2025. A soul-stirring folk-country ballad, Break Free explores themes of personal liberation and self-discovery, a perfect introduction to the deeply introspective journey that Out of the Shadows promises. The track, inspired by a friend’s broken engagement, evolved into a universal anthem about shedding destructive patterns and embracing a new path forward.
“Music is meant to be felt, owned, and cherished—not just thrown into a playlist to disappear into the algorithm. This album is personal, and I want fans to experience it as a full body of work, not just background noise,” says Smith.
This decision might ruffle some feathers in the industry, but Smith is doubling down. Fans who pre-order the album will receive Break Free as an immediate digital download and an exclusive invitation to an intimate listening event at Sundown Studios, where Smith recorded the album.
The full album drops May 2, 2025, with a one-night-only launch event at Lyrics Underground in Perth. Tickets are expected to sell out quickly as fans rally behind an artist who’s choosing authenticity over convenience.
For those who value the raw, tangible experience of music, Out of the Shadows is more than an album—it’s a statement.
