Why Dan + Shay Are Embracing Genuine Selves Both Onstage and in Everyday Life During Their Youthful Chapter: “We’ve Changed as People”
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The country music pair’s North American tour is set to begin on September 11.
Dan + Shay have evolved significantly since releasing their debut single “19 You + Me” in 2013. After producing five studio albums, facing personal struggles, and nearly going their separate ways — plus Shay Mooney becoming a father of four — the duo is no longer focused on creating chart-dominating hits. Instead, they are prioritizing music that genuinely reflects who they are today.
This fall, Mooney and Dan Smyers will launch their sixth studio album, Young, arriving Aug. 21, along with a North American tour beginning Sept. 11. Their recently released tracks, “Say So” and “Young,” introduce a more personal and emotionally honest direction for the duo. “Say So,” in particular, addresses mental health and suicide prevention and honors a mentor they lost to suicide in 2025.
Speaking exclusively with PEOPLE, Smyers, 38, shared that releasing “Say So” has encouraged them to be more open about issues such as anxiety, therapy, and mental health challenges.
“For the past few years and during recent tours, I’ve struggled with anxiety, imposter syndrome, and stage fright,” Smyers explained. “Being completely honest with this album has helped close the gap between who I am onstage and who I am in real life.”
For Mooney, 34, Young represents an opportunity to reflect on their journey and reevaluate both their personal growth and the messages they want their music to communicate.
“We’re not the same people we were when we started, and I think that’s a good thing,” he said. “Life isn’t about avoiding mistakes — it’s about learning from them and growing through new perspectives.”
The “Tequila” hitmakers say they’ve finally embraced the importance of authenticity, both personally and creatively, which has brought them a greater sense of peace during this era of their career.
“You spend so much time trying to meet other people’s expectations, but eventually you realize you just have to be yourself,” Smyers said. “Even if these songs don’t become huge hits, I’m proud of them and grateful they’re out in the world.”
Mooney added that making the album reminded him how much he truly loves creating music and how meaningful the process can be.
“We’ve been doing this for a long time, but this project allowed us to genuinely enjoy making music again,” he said. “It reminded me that this is what we’re meant to do — to bring hope and joy to people and write songs that help others, and ourselves, work through emotions.”
As the duo prepares for their upcoming tour, their goal is to bring the emotional honesty and humanity of the album to the stage while giving audiences a break from everyday chaos. They also hope songs like “Say So” continue to inspire and comfort listeners.
Mooney reflected on the impact of performing the song live at the Academy of Country Music Awards earlier this month, saying the experience felt deeper than simply performing music.
“There are songs that go beyond lyrics and melodies and connect with people on a spiritual level,” he said. “Knowing this song could potentially save someone’s life in the audience is overwhelming. Just thinking about it makes me emotional.”