If you haven’t discovered Atlus yet, now is the time to pay attention. His latest single, “Secondhand Smoke,” delivers raw, no-holds-barred storytelling that demands to be heard, painting a vivid picture of his childhood and the way he watched his mother refuse to let her circumstances define her – instead, she defied them. The driving, addictive track is deeply inspirational, juxtaposing his mother’s hard-earned lessons and advice with his own self-doubts about life.Born Sean Haywood, Atlus is a natural storyteller, drawing deeply from his own life experiences. With four independently released albums already under his belt, he has built a catalogue that speaks for itself. Now, with his self-penned 15-track BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville debut, Art of Letting Go, Atlus steps into a new chapter – one defined by vulnerability, growth, and fearless honesty.Named after its title track, which confronts the loss of his sister to addiction, Art of Letting Go mines the emotional core of Atlus’ songwriting. Blending country with elements of rock, pop, and hip-hop, the album reflects the full spectrum of his story, balancing hard truths with moments of light, resilience, and release. Led by producer Andrew Baylis (Jelly Roll) alongside a group of key collaborators, the project includes Atlus’ debut country radio single “Devil Ain’t Done,” the driving lead track “Spare Key,” alongside the newly released “Secondhand Smoke .”“ This time, with the album, it’s about moving through moments and experiences that shaped me as a person, as a brother, as a son, and as an artist. Looking at some of the things that brought me to where I am, and both acknowledging them and letting them have their place in the story as we try to add new chapters,” shares Atlus. “ My deepest hope is that someone out there hears these songs and connects with the stories and the music and feels like their load is a little lighter because we are sharing the experience” says Atlus.As Billboard noted while naming him February’s Country Rookie of the Month, “For Atlus, who grew up in Denver in a single-parent home marked by poverty, the album marks not only a career triumph, but also a way of sharing his story of overcoming adversity, and inspiring others to prevail over their own obstacles.”Before signing with BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville, Atlus built a loyal following through four independent albums and a relentless work ethic that carried him from the underground to major milestones. His rise includes more than one billion on-demand streams, a Platinum release, a Top 5 album on Spotify’s Global Album Chart, and a standout performance alongside Jelly Roll at a packed Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Recently named one of Pandora’s 2026 Artists to Watch in Country, he continues to connect with fans through emotionally direct songwriting and a voice that cuts through.That connection was forged long before the spotlight. Atlus began writing songs while working long hours as a commercial truck driver, crafting lyrics behind the wheel to support his family and fund studio time. That grind laid the foundation for the artist he is today and continues to shape the perspective that runs throughout Art of Letting Go.The project builds on the success of “Devil Ain’t Done,” which was among the most-added songs at country radio on add day, reached the Top 5 in Australia, and continues to climb in the United States. The track pairs a driving sound with lyrics rooted in self-doubt and perseverance, expanding on Atlus’ ability to turn personal struggles into something universally felt.
At its core, Art of Letting Go is about family – long his driving force. Today, Atlus’ success has allowed him to retire his mother, but the journey there was anything but easy. At 33, he once balanced multiple truck-driving jobs alongside UPS shifts and Uber rides, all to chase his dream and afford time in the studio.Family remains a constant thread throughout the album. Atlus’ success has allowed him to retire his mom, but before music took off, he balanced multiple jobs including truck driving, UPS shifts, and rideshare work to make ends meet and invest in his career.Atlus continues his 2026 tour with festival appearances and headlining shows before joining Russell Dickerson this spring on the RussellMania Tour.