Six years since her last EP, Brooke Eden is releasing her most vulnerable collection to date this Friday (July 29). Entitled Choosing You, the five-song project flexes some of Eden’s writing muscle as she invites listeners into her journey to self-love, empowerment and finding who she really is.

First introducing herself to the world in 2014 as an independent artist before releasing her breakthrough singles “Daddy’s Money” and “Act Like You Don’t” on Red Bow Records, Eden spent several years radio silent before re-emerging in 2021 with a collection of new music and a new level of unabashed confidence.

The budding BBR Music Group artist came out in 2021, publicly embracing who she is as an LGBTQ+ artist. Now, her music reflects that same energy while also sharing her story of self-acceptance.

Within the new EP’s five Jesse Frasure-produced tracks are the sassy, ’70s-inspired “Comeback Love,” the high-flying and imaginative “Off The Ground,” something resembling the perspective of a big sister pep-talk in “Knock,” finding true love and self-love in “Heartless,” and the project’s powerful lead single “Left You For Me,” which marks the first page of Eden’s new musical chapter.

The singer-songwriter also announced a partnership with the RIAA dubbed Music Matters in late May 2022. An initiative that will have Eden appearing in schools, medical centers and recording studios throughout the year, Music Matters is designed to demonstrate how music can enable our authentic voice, give us purpose, connect us to each other and give us strength and courage to navigate life’s challenges. Officially launched on June 23, Eden joined Congressman David Cicilline, Chair of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, for a conversation surrounding LGBTQ+ equality and representation.

Eden recently sat down with MusicRow to catch up on her last few years, the Music Matters program, and the heart behind Choosing You.

MusicRow: You’ve had an interesting couple of years. What have you been up to leading up to this new EP?

I feel like I have completely rebranded myself as a human and as an artist. I’ve started a brand new chapter of my life over the last three years, and I feel like I’ve taken my power back as a human and as an artist, which forces you to become a different artist and a different songwriter.

The pandemic was like a reset button or almost like a bullshit button, where you hit the button and all the bullshit disappeared. I realized what was actually important in life. It was a really hard time for the world, but I’m actually really appreciative of it. I don’t know that I would be where I am in my own self journey if it wasn’t for the pandemic and the bullshit button being pushed.

[The pandemic] really intensified and magnified what things are important in my life. It showed me the things that make me happy and forced me to question why am I not living for those things. Why am I trying so hard to make all of these other people happy instead of living my life? The last couple of years have been like my journey to self love and self empowerment. This music is very indicative of that, and it’s just been a wild three years.

There is a common thread of empowerment and self love in this project. Is that the message that you want to communicate or is it something bigger?

This was the time in my life when I felt the most comfortable in my skin. I hope that my life and my story is an invitation for other people to also feel like they can be comfortable in their skin.

If you notice, there’s no song called “Choosing You” or even a lyric that says choosing you. I was driving with my fiancé, Hillary, in the car one day and I was like, “In choosing you, I ultimately chose myself because I finally was able to love like I wanted to love and be loved.”

That’s where Choosing You came from, and I think that’s the thread within all of this. “Left You For Me” and “Knock” are about choosing yourself, then the other three are love songs about choosing a person that allows you to choose yourself and encourages you to be the best version of yourself.

I hope that there’s a lot of self love and self worth that people will take away when they listen to this collection of songs.

You recently launched the Music Matters campaign with the RIAA. What is the origin story of that?

When I was 10 years old, my appendix ruptured during a hurricane. I was in the hospital for 10 days, which was really hard. The thing that got me through was that every other day we had a music therapist come in. Even though I didn’t want to be in the hospital, I knew that if I stayed another day we would get to play music again. That’s what made that awful experience for me doable.

Music has saved my life multiple times. When everybody else turned their back on me, music was always there. I really wanted to bring that to the next generation. My healing process and my journey to becoming myself was all through music and through writing, so I wanted to bring that concept to people who are healing from things and share the message that music can heal you.

What have you done so far through the program?

I have spoken with Congressman David Cicilline, Chair of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, and we talked about how we can collaborate. We discussed how I can help with equality in country music and how DC can help [represent equality in country music] as well.

I also recently spoke with some young women in a group called Girls Inc. about women in business and women in music. A lot of them wanted to be songwriters, singers or members of the industry, so it’s really cool to be able to share what it’s like to be in the industry as a woman and how music can really heal and save your life.

[The goal of Music Matters] is an awareness of using music as a healing mechanism. Music is a universal language. It can unite us in a way that nothing else can. For me, the main message is healing, unity, and bringing people together.

Why does music matter so much to you? What role has music played throughout your life?

For me, especially in my 20s, I was figuring out who I am and what this world looks like to me. So much of my journey to who I am, self love and self worth, was through writing and creating music.

There’s been so many times when music has literally saved me from going too dark. It saved me and allowed me to sing what I couldn’t say. Music is that one thing that we can all come together on. Creating music has made me become the best version of myself.

Is there anything you want to say to your fans who are eagerly awaiting Choosing You?

The biggest thing that I would have people take away from this EP is that you are worthy of everything that you want.

With social media and this perception of what everyone else’s life looks like, it’s really important to look inward and understand that you can achieve anything that you want. You’re deserving of love and happiness, and I hope people hear that when they listen to this EP.

Following the announcement of this year’s nominees for the 34th MusicRow Awards, we take a look at the MusicRow Breakthrough Artist of the Year category. This category is voted on by MusicRow’s subscribed members to honor a Nashville artist who achieved significant career progress for the first time.

The winners of this year’s honors will be announced online on all MusicRow platforms on Tuesday, August 30. Presenting Sponsor of the 2022 MusicRow Awards is City National Bank.

Click here to see the full list of MusicRow Awards nominees.

Winners are determined solely by MusicRow Magazine subscribed members. Voting is now open and closes on July 29 at 5:00 p.m.

To receive a ballot to vote in the MusicRow Awards, become a MusicRow member here.

Priscilla Block made her way onto the scene after creating a fanbase on TikTok. After posting snippets of funny and honest tracks such as “Thick Thighs” and “PMS,” Block had her viral moment with the heartbreak anthem, “Just About Over You.” Fans rallied together to independently fund Block’s recording of the track, and its reception led to industry attention. She soon signed a record deal with Mercury Nashville and released her debut album, Welcome to the Block Party. Block has since surpassed more than 385 million digital streams with tracks such as “Just About Over You,” “Wish You Were the Whiskey,” “I Bet You Wanna Know,” and her current single, “My Bar.” Her charm and wit also allowed her the opportunity to host the red carpet programming at the ACM Awards, where she was nominated for New Female Artist of the Year. Block is also nominated for Breakthrough Artist-Writer at this year’s MusicRow Awards for her qualifying song, “Just About Over You.”

Zach Bryan has impacted the country music industry in a nontraditional but massive way. The Oklahoma native began releasing music as an active-duty member of the U.S. Navy stationed in Washington state. After making an impact with “Heading South” in 2019, his music caught the attention of Yellowstone creators, leading to multiple sync placements in the hit show. After being honorably discharged by the Navy after eight years of service to pursue his career in music, Bryan signed to Warner Records. He released his debut album American Heartbreak to unfathomable acclaim. The massive 34-song project broke the 2022 record for the most-streamed country album in a single day on Spotify and Apple Music. Bryan’s single from American Heartbreak, “Something in the Orange,” peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot Country charts and was No. 18 global streaming track overall. The breakthrough star has already surpassed 1 billion global career streams and is only three years past his very first release.

ERNEST has enjoyed massive success as a songwriter in the past few years, having written five No. 1 hits for artists such as Morgan Wallen, Chris Lane, Sam Hunt, Florida Georgia Line, and Kane Brown. After releasing a few EPs and singles as an artist, ERNEST broke through with his George Jones-inspired “Flower Shops” featuring Wallen. The song took off, becoming the most-added single on its add week at country radio and hitting No. 1 on MusicRow‘s CountryBreakout Radio Chart. “Flower Shops,” which is also nominated for Song of the Year this year at the MusicRow Awards, also led to the release of ERNEST’s Big Loud Records debut album Flower Shops (The Album). ERNEST is out building his fanbase on the road with other fan favorites from the album such as “Some Other Bar,” “Tennessee Queen,” and “Feet Wanna Run.”

Ryan Hurd got his start in Nashville as a songwriter, penning Platinum hits and chart toppers for Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, Lady A, Tim McGraw, and more. As an artist Hurd has released a series of EPs and singles, including the Platinum-certified “To a T.” His breakthrough as artist was cemented with his debut album from Arista Nashville, Pelago. The 15-track project contained “Chasing After You,” a duet with his wife Maren Morris that hit the top of the charts, was certified Platinum, and secured him his first Grammy nomination for Best Country Duo/Group Performance. He’s following it up with his new single “Pass It On,” which was one of the most-added singles at country radio on add week. As a songwriter, Hurd is also up for the Song of the Year title at this year’s MusicRow Awards for Morris’ “Circles Around This Town,” which he co-wrote with her, Jimmy Robbins, and Julia Michaels.

Elvie Shane captured hearts with “My Boy,” a special tribute to his step-son and non-traditional families like his. The track quickly caught fire on TikTok, leading BBR Music Group to sign him to Wheelhouse Records. Now aligned with a label partner, Shane took “My Boy” to No. 1. The now Platinum-certified track was nominated for Song of the Year at last year’s MusicRow Awards. Following the success of “My Boy,” Shane released his debut EP, County Roads, and quickly followed it up with his debut album Backslider. His new single “County Roads,” was one of the most added songs at country radio upon its debut and continues to climb. Shane is also nominated for Breakthrough Artist-Writer of the Year this year at the MusicRow Awards as a co-writer on “My Boy.”

Lainey Wilson has become an industry favorite in the last year, having been named the Discovery Artist of the Year at the 2021 MusicRow Awards and then New Female Artist of the Year at the 2022 ACM Awards. She brought her signature “Bell Bottom Country” to her studio album Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’ in early 2021 via Broken Bow Records. The project spawned her first hit, the tentative “Things A Man Oughta Know.” The tune took off, hitting the top of the charts, being certified Platinum, and winning Song of the Year at the 2022 ACM Awards. In early 2022, Wilson rang the bell at the top of the charts again, this time alongside Cole Swindell for their fiery duet, “Never Say Never.” In June, it was announced that Wilson would join the cast of season five of the hit show Yellowstone. As a co-writer on “Things A Man Oughta Know,” Wilson is also nominated for Breakthrough Artist-Writer of the Year at the MusicRow Awards this year.