Amanda Shires is returning with powerful new music after a quiet period following her public split from fellow musician Jason Isbell. Her upcoming album, Nobody’s Girl, scheduled for release on September 26, is a deeply personal project that shines a light on resilience, recovery, and the strength found in vulnerability.
The first single from the album, A Way It Goes, is now available alongside a music video. The song gives listeners a raw but hopeful glimpse into Shires’ emotional journey after her divorce, capturing both pain and strength in a way only she can.
Shires recently shared that she was in a serious car accident just before the album announcement. She swerved to avoid a deer, ultimately hitting it and crashing into a fence and tree. The incident left her with a broken nose, a fractured hand, and 47 stitches. Still, she remains upbeat. “I might be God’s favorite,” she joked, reflecting on how lucky she felt to have survived.
Despite the accident, Shires isn’t dwelling on misfortune. She’s focused on what she calls “proof of life” — the kind of real, honest storytelling that defines her new record. Nobody’s Girl marks her first solo album since 2021 and was produced and co-written with Lawrence Rothman, who also worked on her previous release, Take It Like a Man.
Fans have long speculated about her emotional state following her split from Isbell, especially after their appearance in an HBO documentary just months before their separation. While Isbell shared his side in songs earlier this year, Shires is now opening up in her own way.
The opening lyrics of A Way It Goes speak volumes:
“I can show you how he left me / Paint a picture, growing flowers for nobody / But I’d rather you see me thriving / Vining my way back up.”
Rather than rehash the past, Shires focuses on growth. “It’s a record about life and what comes after going through hard things,” she says. “It’s not about being a victim. It’s about healing, naming your feelings, and choosing to move forward.”
The music reflects the ups and downs of emotional recovery. Shires says she wrote these songs not to tell her story alone but to help others connect with their own. “Music is about connection,” she explains. “It’s not about why my pain matters more — it doesn’t. But maybe these songs can help someone understand their feelings a bit better.”
The music video for A Way It Goes was especially meaningful for her. Shot at her home in Tennessee, the video was the first concept she created herself. Directed by Taylor G. Kelly, the video was filmed in a single day, rain and all, ending with a golden sunset in a nearby field. Shires was thrilled with the result, calling Kelly “full of life” and praising the way she brought her vision to life.
Shires also spoke openly about the emotional work behind the album. The months between October 2023 and March 2024 were especially tough. “Getting to a place where I could be kind to myself took real work,” she admits. “But I’m proud of what I created. It’s a true song, and it took a lot to get here.”
She avoids focusing on the ugly details of her breakup, instead highlighting the beauty that can come from pain. “We already see too much darkness in the world,” she says. “This album is about the light — about how even when things feel impossible, there’s still hope. There’s still joy on the other side.”
With Nobody’s Girl, Amanda Shires invites listeners to join her on a journey of healing. It’s a message of strength, self-awareness, and moving forward — told through music that’s honest, heartfelt, and unmistakably hers.