Cody Johnson is getting ready to come back stronger than ever, and he is not coming alone. After a year of forced silence, he is heading into the studio in January 2026 with a clear plan, a healed voice, and something he calls “just a little bit spicier.”
He still sees Leather Deluxe as a homerun, but he knows fans expect the next swing to go even further. That is why he started picking songs for this new record before Leather Deluxe even came out.
Cody has locked in a full on collaboration with Luke Combs after teasing it at that sold out Nashville show. He is also bringing in Brothers Osborne, whose gritty guitars are the perfect match for the new edge he keeps hinting at.
All of this comes after a brutal stretch where a sinus infection led to a ruptured eardrum and surgery. The recovery meant canceled shows and months of complete vocal rest. Now he says his voice feels better than ever, and he has his eyes on a full touring return by February 2026.
Cody Johnson talks Making his New Album & Branding his own Cattle at the Windy City Smokeout
Dirt Cheap was the song that turned Cody Johnson from a solid touring act into a headline name. It is the reason he talks about “hitting a homerun” and knowing fans expect another one. The story of an old farmer holding on to his land is pure Cody Johnson at his core.
Cody Johnson – Dirt Cheap (Official Music Video)
If Dirt Cheap is the proof that Cody Johnson will never leave real country behind, Brothers Osborne hint at where he wants to turn up the heat. Their sound is louder, rougher, and built on big electric guitar moments that shake a room in seconds. That is the kind of “spice” Cody keeps talking about when he teases this new album.