Clayton Mullen is embracing the blues—and he’s never sounded more sure of himself.
The breakout country singer/songwriter, who’s quickly rising through the ranks with his magnetic blend of small-town storytelling and fresh country-pop production, is officially entering his “Sad Boy Summer” era with the release of his brand-new EP Varsity Blues, out this Friday, July 25.
“This is the most Clayton Mullen music yet,” the artist tells Celeb Secrets backstage at CMA Fest 2025 in Nashville, adding that the five-song project is “all about young love, growing up, figuring it out… heartbreak, but also those first-time feelings.”
That emotional push and pull is front and center on Varsity Blues, a project built on the kind of songs that stay with you long after high school fades. From the tear-jerking title track to his fan-favorite “Love On The Radio,” Mullen uses snapshots of heartbreak, nostalgia, and self-discovery to tell a universally relatable coming-of-age story—one he lived himself.
“I always want my music to be as true to me as possible,” he says. “I think it’s the story of any American kid. Anybody who loves sports, fell in love one time… it’s very genuine.”
And while the title might feel like something straight out of a football locker room mixtape, Varsity Blues is way more than just a play on Friday night lights.
“Varsity Blues felt like a cool way to capture that chapter of life,” he explains. “As we go through life and the lessons we learn along the way, you start to realize it all comes back to those early moments—first loves and heartbreaks, small-town living where everything just seemed simpler.”
That simplicity shows up in songs like “First Time Feeling Last” and “Blue,” the latter of which Mullen describes as a “killer melody” that hits right in the heart.
“‘Blue’ is about heartbreak—it’s about all those feelings you’re feeling as you’re watching her drive away,” he shares. “It’s definitely one of my favorite tracks off Varsity Blues, and I think it’s gonna resonate with a lot of people.”
The production, thanks to Jason Massey, nearly turned “Blue” into a piano ballad, but the team leaned into something bigger, more anthemic—one with guitars that crash like thunder and a chorus that begs to be screamed in the car.
“I think the lyric is done in a cool way I haven’t heard before,” Mullen says, noting that the writing day itself was one of his favorite memories. “We thought it was going to be a slow song, but the energy it has now just felt right.”
When asked to describe the cinematic feel of “Blue,” Clayton doesn’t hesitate: “There’d be a lot of rain. The girl’s driving away, and the guy’s stuck at home, heartbroke as hell, seeing blue.”
That same vivid imagery colors every track on Varsity Blues, which Clayton proudly co-wrote all but one of. And while heartbreak is a key theme, there’s still plenty of wide-eyed wonder packed into the lyrics—because no matter how many miles he racks up touring or how many streams he clocks (over 25 million and counting), Mullen still writes like a guy who started it all in a frat house with nothing but a pen and a dream.
Raised on the East Coast, born on the West, and musically raised in Texas while attending TCU, Clayton’s journey to Nashville isn’t exactly traditional. But that off-the-beaten-path energy is part of what makes him so refreshing in today’s country scene.
“My first album Where the Time Goes was just putting my college years in a time capsule,” he reflects. “Then Start at the End was like a step into the future of my sound. But Varsity Blues is the most me it’s ever been.”
And yes—there’s plenty more to Clayton than just heartbreak bangers and smooth vocals. During our chat, the singer confessed to writing songs in an inflatable hot tub on his Nashville rooftop and recalled a not-so-legal college-era pastime of squirrel hunting for tail-counting competitions. (“Let’s not put that out there,” he laughed.)
His walkout songs? Depends on the crowd. “When we’re in Texas, we do one that starts, ‘B***h, I’m from Texas,’” he grins. “Another one we love is ‘Kill Me’ by Kolby Cooper—it’s a band favorite.”
When it comes to career highs, Clayton says getting the offer to open for Sam Hunt was a full-circle moment. “He’s one of the guys who got me into country music,” he says. “That show hasn’t happened yet, but I know stepping on stage that night is going to be surreal.”
So, what’s next after Varsity Blues?
For now, Clayton’s just trying to soak it all in. “It’s pretty crazy that we get to do this for a living,” he tells us. “Sometimes you take it for granted… so I try to be intentional, look out at the crowd, and appreciate the opportunity.”
With relatable lyrics, real stories, and a whole lot of heart, Varsity Blues proves that Clayton Mullen isn’t just singing about your life—he’s living it too.
For more on Clayton’s music, make sure to watch our full interview below — and don’t forget to let us know what you think of it by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sliding into our DMs on Instagram at @celebsecretscountry.
Interview quotes have been condensed and edited for clarity. For more coverage from CMA Fest 2025, click here.
