Tucker Wetmore has reached the point in his career where a new release is no longer simply another collection of songs. There is already a recognizable sound attached to his name, one that blends contemporary country with pop instincts, restless guitars, relationship stories and melodies designed to stay in the head. His new Sunburn Mixtape takes that identity somewhere lighter, leaning into warm-weather romance and breezy production without completely leaving behind the emotional edge that helped introduce him to country audiences.
Released on July 31, 2026, Sunburn Mixtape contains six songs and runs for just over 18 minutes. Three tracks were released before the project arrived, while “Crazy To Yourself,” “98%” and “YOURS” were introduced as new material. That makes the project feel less like a traditional second album and more like a snapshot of where Wetmore is creatively between larger releases.
Tucker Wetmore Songs Take a Summer Turn
The appeal of the new project becomes clearer when it is placed alongside the story of Tucker Wetmore’s rise. His breakthrough arrived in 2024 with “Wine Into Whiskey” and “Wind Up Missin’ You,” with the latter eventually reaching No. 1 on U.S. country radio and earning a 2x Platinum certification. By April 2025, his catalog had crossed one billion global streams, while his debut album What Not To opened at No. 15 on the Billboard 200.
That history matters because Sunburn Mixtape does not sound like an artist trying to prove that he can write a hit. Instead, it sounds more relaxed. Several recent reviews have pointed to the project’s country-pop character, with funk, soul and polished pop textures sitting comfortably beside country songwriting. Entertainment Focus described the six-song set as a shift toward those broader influences, while AllMusic characterized it as a smooth, summer-oriented collection.
“Who Told You That” Opens the Door
The mixtape begins with “Who Told You That,” a song that had already generated momentum before the full project arrived. The track became Wetmore’s biggest Country radio add week to that point, receiving 89 first-week stations in July 2026. It also debuted at No. 54 on the Country Aircheck/Mediabase chart.
Musically, the song fits the project’s personality almost immediately. It plays with the gap between someone’s reputation and what they might actually be like in a relationship. Rather than leaning into heavy heartbreak, Wetmore gives the idea a playful energy.
That approach also illustrates why Tucker Wetmore songs have connected with listeners beyond strictly traditional country audiences. His music can use familiar country subjects while arranging them with production that feels comfortable on contemporary pop and country playlists.
The Three New Tracks Add More Color
“Crazy To Yourself” is one of the three previously unheard songs on the mixtape, and its appeal comes largely from its easygoing romantic energy. Entertainment Focus compared its feel to the polished country-pop era associated with Thomas Rhett, while noting Wetmore’s vocal agility over the bright production.
“98%” pushes further into playful songwriting. Wetmore co-wrote the track with Rodney Clawson, Jacob Hackworth and Chris LaCorte, giving the song a wordplay-heavy approach to attraction. Apple Music also highlights its rapid-fire vocal phrasing and the way Wetmore works through its central romantic idea.
Then comes “YOURS,” which changes the pace. It is more relaxed and romantic, with a yacht-rock influence that separates it from the more energetic middle section. The song was co-written by Wetmore alongside Chris LaCorte, Randy Montana, Sasha Sloan and Carver Partin.
“Sunburn” Feels Like the Project’s Centerpiece
The title track naturally carries much of the identity of Sunburn Mixtape. It turns summer romance into the central image, using heat, the beach and physical attraction as the backdrop for a relationship that develops quickly.
Several reviewers have singled out “Sunburn” as one of the stronger moments on the project. Country Discovery’s September review, which summarized a Country Standard Time assessment, described the track as the standout while also noting “Yours” as another memorable moment.
The song also represents something important about Wetmore’s development. His earlier material often balanced heartbreak with drinking songs and complicated relationships. “Sunburn” does not abandon those emotional themes, but it approaches romance from a more carefree angle.
Where the Biggest Tracks Fit In
Anyone exploring Tucker Wetmore songs for the first time should eventually go back to “Wind Up Missin’ You,” because it explains much of the foundation underneath his current success. The song became his first U.S. Country radio No. 1 and later received 2x Platinum certification.
“3,2,1” followed with another No. 1 at Country radio in 2025, while “Brunette” became another major step forward. By May 2026, Wetmore had surpassed two billion career streams, and the ACM recognized him as its 2026 New Male Artist of the Year.
Those songs reveal the broader range behind the newer material. “Wind Up Missin’ You” established the emotional country sound, “3,2,1” reinforced his radio appeal, and “Brunette” helped carry that momentum into 2026. The Sunburn Mixtape then adds a sunnier, more playful chapter.
What the Mixtape Says About His Next Era
The most interesting thing about Sunburn Mixtape may be what it does not attempt to be. It is not a sprawling statement album. With six tracks and an 18-minute runtime, it is compact by design. Three songs were already available before release, leaving the remaining three to provide the fresh material.
Critical reactions have differed. Some reviewers have praised the project’s summer atmosphere and polished songwriting, while others have argued that the middle portion blends together and does not offer as much individuality as the stronger tracks. That contrast is useful because it shows exactly where Wetmore stands creatively: he has established a sound that is accessible, but his next full-length project will have more room to demonstrate how far he can stretch it.
For now, Sunburn Mixtape works as a bridge between the breakthrough success of What Not To and whatever comes next. The best Tucker Wetmore songs have always combined an immediate hook with stories about messy relationships, and this project keeps that formula while giving it more sunlight, movement and pop polish.
That makes the mixtape an interesting chapter rather than simply another release. Wetmore already has the major country-radio milestones, billions of streams and a growing live audience. The next question is how much further he can take the sound that brought him here. Sunburn Mixtape offers one answer: by loosening the reins, letting the songs breathe and allowing Tucker Wetmore songs to sound a little more like summer without losing their country heart.
