Hunter Hayes has unveiled his latest single, “Too Late”, which is available to stream now. The track offers an introspective look at personal growth and self-reflection, setting the tone for Hayes’ forthcoming album “Evergreen”, due for release on March 6. This acts as the follow-up to his Christmas EP release from last year, titled “Evergreen Christmas Sessions”.
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Written by Hunter Hayes, Ricky Manning, and Andrew Stoelzing, whilst it has been produced by Hayes and Alex Flagstad with Justin Shturtz on mastering and Keith Armstrong on mixing, “Too Late” sees Hunter Hayes exploring the idea that healing and change do not operate on a fixed timeline. Built around an emotionally open narrative, the song leans into themes of renewal, second chances and learning to extend compassion toward oneself. Rather than framing change as something urgent or pressured, the track presents it as an ongoing process—one that can begin at any point.
Driven by gentle guitar instrumentation, “Too Late” adopts a restrained and reflective sound that allows the emotional weight of the song to take centre stage. Hunter Hayes delivers the track with a calm, measured vocal performance, creating space for the words to resonate. The song unfolds as a personal reflection that extends outward, addressing anyone who may be grappling with change, healing, or self-doubt. By pairing a relaxed musical backdrop with an emotionally direct vocal delivery, “Too Late” reinforces its message that growth and renewal are processes shaped by time and patience.
Reflecting on the meaning behind the song, Hunter Hayes said, “‘Too Late’ is me telling myself, and anyone who needs to hear it, that there’s no expiration date on healing. You can always change your mind about yourself, your story, or what’s possible.”
Accompanying the single is a music video directed by Randy Schaffer, which features Hunter Hayes performing inside a conservatory that gradually transforms throughout the song. The space begins completely bare, before slowly filling with plants, objects, and personal touches as Hayes writes lyrics, records vocals, and builds the track from the ground up. Notably, the camera remains static for the entirety of the video, creating a fixed perspective as the environment evolves around him—a detail Hayes has since revealed required multiple takes to achieve.
The video mirrors the song’s central themes by placing equal emphasis on creativity and patience. Viewers watch Hunter Hayes alternate between making music and stepping away from it, taking moments to decorate the space, throw paper aeroplanes, or solve a Rubik’s Cube. Objects such as the Ranger Station candle reading “for the love of music”, a green rotary phone, and an increasing number of plants subtly reinforce the ideas of growth, reflection, and time. Together, the visuals underline the message at the heart of “Too Late”: that healing, creativity, and personal progress unfold at their own pace, and that allowing oneself the time to grow is an essential part of the journey.
“Too Late” appears on “Evergreen”, the final chapter in a wider creative trilogy that began with “Wild Blue” and continued through “Red Sky”. Taken together, the three releases chart a broader emotional progression, with “Evergreen” serving as a moment of reflection and resolution within that arc. Across the album, Hunter Hayes draws on a wide range of musical influences, blending elements of pop, country, folk, R&B, and indie rock to support its introspective themes.
Lyrically, “Evergreen” focuses on the ideas of renewal, self-awareness, and emotional presence, framing personal growth as something that shapes not only how one relates to oneself but also to others and the wider world. Hunter Hayes has described the album as “a letter from your future self,” positioning it as a reflective project shaped by intention rather than reaction. That outlook runs throughout the record, guided by his motto, “Be good to yourself and the world around you,” and underscores an album that looks forward with empathy and purpose.
Recorded with co-producer Alex Flagstad, “Evergreen” captures Hunter Hayes at a creatively expansive point in his career. Alongside “Too Late”, the album features a range of tracks that highlight different sides of his songwriting. Songs such as “Until She Comes Along” shift from blues-inspired beginnings into more energetic rock moments, while “Around The Sun” offers a cinematic, reassuring perspective on perseverance. Elsewhere, tracks like “Every Piece” and “Wait” lean into vulnerability and melody, with the title track “Evergreen” setting the emotional atmosphere for the record as a whole.
Hunter Hayes’ “Evergreen” Tracklist:
- Evergreen
- Until She Comes Along
- Wait
- Dream About
- Fragile
- Every Piece
- Too Late
- The Ones You Love
- Human Again
- Around The Sun
In addition to new music, Hunter Hayes has had a busy start to the year. He performed the US National Anthem as part of the 2026 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series in Tampa Bay, an event that was broadcast nationally on ESPN. Later in March, Hunter Hayes will take “Evergreen” on the road, kicking off “The Evergreen Tour” on March 25. The 22-date US run will include performances in cities such as New York City, Chicago, Atlanta, and Nashville. Joining him on select dates will be BLÜ EYES and Franklin Jonas, providing support across different legs of the tour.
Hunter Hayes – The Evergreen Tour 2026 US Dates:
Support Act Key – Symbols Explained
- * = with support from BLÜ EYES
- + = with support from Franklin Jonas
- March 25, 2026 – Beacon Theatre, Hopewell, VA*
- March 27, 2026 – Mr. Smalls Theatre, Millvale, PA*
- March 28, 2026 – Ardmore Music Hall, Ardmore, PA*
- March 29, 2026 – Newton Theatre, Newton, NJ*
- March 31, 2026 – The Sinclair, Cambridge, MA*
- April 2, 2026 – Gramercy Theatre, New York, NY*
- April 3, 2026 – The Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ*
- April 4, 2026 – Aura, Portland, ME*
- April 7, 2026 – House of Blues, Cleveland, OH*
- April 9, 2026 – Saint Andrews Hall, Detroit, MI*
- April 10, 2026 – Elevation, Grand Rapids, MI*
- April 11, 2026 – House of Blues, Chicago, IL+
- April 12, 2026 – Fine Line, Minneapolis, MN+
- April 14, 2026 – The Vogue, Indianapolis, IN+
- April 16, 2026 – Taft Theatre, Cincinnati, OH+
- April 17, 2026 – Mercury Ballroom, Louisville, KY+
- April 18, 2026 – The Dixie Carter Performing Arts Center, Huntingdon, TN+
- April 19, 2026 – Bijou Theatre, Knoxville, TN+
- April 22, 2026 – Center Stage Theater, Atlanta, GA+
- April 23, 2026 – Brooklyn Bowl, Nashville, TN+
- April 24, 2026 – Cain Center for the Arts, Cornelius, NC+
- April 26, 2026 – Charleston Music Hall, Charleston, SC+
With “Too Late” now out in the world, Hunter Hayes sets the stage for “Evergreen”, an album that blends introspective lyrics, gentle instrumentation, and heartfelt storytelling. The song—and its evocative music video of building a space from emptiness to life—serves as a quiet reminder that growth, healing, and meaningful change are always possible, if given the time and care they deserve.
“Too Late”, by Hunter Hayes, is available to download and stream, right now, across all platforms, via LP Entertainment under exclusive license to DashGo. There are just weeks to go until he drops his sixth major studio album, “Evergreen”, so don’t miss out when it’s released on March 6, 2026. You can pre-order the vinyl and CD from his official store.
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