Nashville power couple Thelma & James — the undeniable married duo made up of MacKenzie Porter and Jake Etheridge — are proving once again that their best collaborator was right under their nose all along. On Friday (August 15), the pair dropped “Nostalgic for Nothing,” a quirky, addictive love letter to all the random little things that won’t stop reminding you of that person.
“This song is a quirky love letter to all the random things that remind you of someone,” the pair share. “That weirdly specific kind of nostalgia you can’t shake. Maybe because deep down you still want to be there… with them. We all have that one person or moment we keep replaying in our heads.”
The song, written alongside hitmakers Jordan Reynolds and Parker Welling and produced by Louis Johnson, captures exactly what fans have come to love about Thelma & James — the ability to spin universal emotions into something sharp, poetic, and instantly resonant. Following releases like the viral “Happy Ever After You” (which has racked up over 20 million streams and caught the attention of John Mayer, Luke Combs, and Brandi Carlile) and fan-favorites “Chainsmokin Memories,” “First Love,” and “Canaries in a Coal Mine,”the new track solidifies their growing catalog as one that refuses to be boxed in.
At CMA Fest 2025, Celeb Secrets caught up with the pair, who couldn’t help but tease what was coming. “We have a new record coming and so many [songs] we’re excited about,” MacKenzie told us. “There’s one on there called ‘Loser’ that I think would be pretty sick if it blew up on TikTok.” Jake jumped in with a grin, adding, “Yeah, ‘Loser’ needs it.”
Their playful back-and-forth is exactly what makes Thelma & James so magnetic. Onstage, they bring that same chemistry to life, often starting shows with what they describe as “a little drinky, a little smooch.” Offstage, their songwriting process reflects both their individuality and their partnership. “Mac is kind of title-centric, and I’m kind of random ideas–centric,” Jake explained. “One time she was in the bedroom writing, I was in the studio writing, and it just turned into one song. That never happens.”
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For longtime fans of MacKenzie Porter’s solo career, this new venture introduces an entirely different side of her artistry — one that leans into raw harmonies, shared storytelling, and the undeniable alchemy of a couple who know both the best and worst of each other. “We’d always kept music separate on purpose,” MacKenzie told Celeb Secrets. “Now we’re learning each other’s skillsets as artists and figuring out how we work together. It’s been an interesting part of this whole new chapter.”
That chapter is just getting started. With a debut EP on the way, a headlining tour in the works, and “Nostalgic for Nothing” setting the tone, Thelma & James are cementing themselves as one of country music’s most refreshing new duos — smoky, soulful, and impossible not to root for.
Or, as Jake described their vibe in emojis: “smoke puff, sunglasses guy, and that little face blowing out.”
Because honestly? That’s exactly how “Nostalgic for Nothing” feels — cool, hazy, and unforgettable.
For more on Thelma & James, make sure to watch our interview with MacKenzie and Jake below — and don’t forget to let us know if you’re loving “Nostalgic for Nothing” 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 edited and condensed for clarity. For more coverage from CMA Fest 2025, click here.
