Monroe strikes "Tennessee Lightning"

Recorded in the wake of Monroe's bout with cancer, the 17-song collection documents her journey as a celebration of life, love and the healing power of music.

Monroe also released the new single "The Touch" (featuring Marty Stuart), a love song with a guitar riff from Stuart on guitar and Shelby Lynne on bass.

"Tennessee Lightning" also includes special guests T Bone Burnett, Brittney Spencer, Waylon Payne, Brendan Benson, Butch Walker, Karen Fairchild and Armand Hutton.

"'The Touch' is the first song I ever wrote with the incredible Marty Stuart," said Monroe. "It was storming so loud that day, and we could feel the electricity just hanging in the air. He played that guitar lick, and my heart melted. I've always been a fan of timeless love songs. So honored to have Marty write this one with me and play on it. I'm also so proud to have Shelby Lynne on bass. What a band."

Stuart added, "'The Touch' is a majestic song. When Ashley and I were recording the words and music onto our cell phones moments after we'd finished writing it, the Nashville sky filled with thunder. The windows in the room where the song came to life rattled like bones. We laughed and took that as a sign that God liked the song. Lightning in a bottle if you will. I didn't think any performance of the song could get any better than our inspired working version. Ashley's formal recording, however, takes the song up into the clouds and commands time to stand still. The harmonies are glorious. 'The Touch' is four minutes and 51 seconds of pure magic. The kind of song we long for."

The disc was co-produced by Monroe with Gena Johnson (John Prine, Jason Isbell) and features country, folk, blues, soul and pop.

"When I got diagnosed with lymphoma and started my treatment, I stopped writing, I stopped hearing melodies, I stopped thinking about songs at all," Monroe said. For six months, she focused almost exclusively on her recovery and her family as she underwent a grueling regimen of injections and transfusions.

"When I finally went into remission, I could feel the life and the music start flowing in my veins again," she said. "It was like a flood, just this rush of inspiration."

"I feel like I've emerged from these last few years with a pretty profound perspective shift. I've learned to be more in the moment, to appreciate what's right in front of me and enjoy every second I get to spend doing what I love with the people I care about."

"The Touch" follows the release of three album tracks including the ethereal "There You Are," the revved-up "Hot Rod Pipe Dream" and "Risen Road."

"Tennessee Lightning' follows Monroe's 2021 album "Rosegold."

On July 25, Monroe will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of her GRAMMY-nominated 2015 album "The Blade" with a one-night-only show at Nashville's The Basement East, where she will perform the record in its entirety.

The track list is:
1. I'm Gonna Run (featuring T Bone Burnett) (Ashley Monroe, Sally Barris)
2. Risen Road (Ashley Monroe, Brendan Benson, Waylon Payne)
3. Closer (Ashley Monroe, Ashley Ray, Ben West)
4. The Touch (featuring Marty Stuart) (Ashley Monroe, Marty Stuart)
5. Magnolia (Ashley Monroe, Waylon Payne, Brendan Benson)
My Favorite Movie (Ashley Monroe, Vince Gill)
7. Hot Rod Pipe Dream (Ashley Monroe, Brendan Benson)
8. Amen Love (Ashley Monroe, Ashley Ray, Summer Overstreet)
9. Moth (Ashley Monroe, Carter Faith, Connie Harrington, Jessi Alexander)
10. Bitter Swisher Sweet (featuring Brittney Spencer) (Ashley Monroe, Emily Landis, Logan Wall)
11. You and Me (Jay Robinson)
12. Recover (featuring Karen Fairchild) (Ashley Monroe, Karen Fairchild, Ashley Ray, Andrew Petroff)
13. There You Are (Jessi Alexander, Margaret Findley, Sally Barris)
14. Blown Away (featuring Brendan Benson) (Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty)
15. That's No Way To Say Goodbye (Leonard Cohen)
16. Moon Child (Ashley Monroe, Andrew Petroff, Meg McRee, Tenille Townes)
17. Jesus Hold My Hand (featuring Armand Hutton) (Albert Brumley)