Before the music for his forthcoming album had fully taken shape, Ruston Kelly found himself on a pickleball court in East Nashville, on a first date with someone who would change his life. That moment—simple, unexpected, and quietly profound—became the inspiration for “Pickleball,” his latest single and a key turning point in the personal journey that shaped the new album Pale, Through the Window, out September 12 via Rounder Records. With baritone guitar riffs, nostalgic pop-punk rhythms, soaring steel guitar and dreamy vocal textures, the song channels the joy, clarity, and sense of purpose sparked by that day. “Our first date was at the pickleball court on the east side at the YMCA. I knew she was special the moment we started talking,” says Kelly. “It’s like I always knew her. And of course at the time, I was still sorting out my life and my faith… I shared with her my trials and my twisted roots, and her response was life changing. She drew a line in the sand in a way that motivated me to be the best version of myself—not make me feel small for the choices I’d made in my past. And for that, I was like, ‘I wanna be wherever you are. I feel whole and inspired and will go wherever that goodness with you leads.’” “Pickleball” follows the anthemic “Wayside” and the pensive “Half Past Three,” both of which preview the album’s wide-ranging emotional scope. As with the full record, Kelly worked closely with longtime collaborator Jarrad K and recorded “Pickleball” live with his touring band. His sister Abigail Kelly contributes vocals to the track, and his dad TK plays steel guitar. Listen to “Pickleball” HERE 
Pre-Order Pale, Through the Window HERE Pale, Through the Window captures a season of radical change and quiet revelations for the Nashville-based artist. Written during a period of spiritual searching and recorded after what Kelly describes as a creative low point, the album is both a return to form and a leap into new emotional and sonic territory. It threads moments of vulnerability with bursts of joy and conviction, pairing ambient textures and steel guitar with the energy of early-2000s emo and Kelly’s deeply personal lyricism. Already praised by Rolling Stone as a “spiritual transformation” and “a powerful shift,” Pale, Through the Window sees Kelly reflecting on his past—addiction, divorce, disconnection—and choosing love, faith, and artistic honesty over fear. The album is out 12th September 2025 via Rounder Records, with more singles to come this summer. Kelly will bring “Pickleball” and the rest of the new album on the road this fall and winter with his headline tour, including stops at AmericanaFest 2025, Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, New York’s Bowery Ballroom, Los Angeles’ Troubadour, and more. A full list of dates is below, and tickets are on sale now at rustonkelly.com. PALE, THROUGH THE WINDOW TRACK LIST: 1. Pale, Through the Window (Ruston Kelly) 2. Give Up the Ghost (Kelly) 3. Wayside (Kelly) 4. Half Past Three (Kelly) 5. Me and You (Kelly) 6. Twisted Root (Kelly) 7. Still (Kelly, Emily Weisband, Peter Raffoul) 8. Waiting to Love You (Kelly, Jarrad K, Jon Green) 9. I See You (Kelly) 10. Pickleball (Kelly, Jarrad K) 11. House in the Country (Kelly) 12. Great Wide Open (Kelly) 13. All in (Kelly) | 
