Illinois singer-songwriter Dan Hubbard has always been a storyteller with heart, but his latest single, “Sad Eyes,” takes that honesty and pairs it with a bold new sound. Released September 26, 2025, the track marks both a personal and artistic shift, born from an intimate exchange with his wife, Kaetlyn, and built around drum samples inspired by artists like Holly Humberstone and Leon Bridges.
At its core, “Sad Eyes” is a love song, but not in the glossy, overly idealized sense. Hubbard recalls Kaetlyn telling him that what she first loved about him were his “sad eyes.” From there, he wrote a track that asks deeper questions: what does it really take for two people to fall in love? The lyrics are raw and searching, balancing vulnerability with quiet optimism: “Cause I’ve seen your sad eyes all over town, you’re a mess like me / And I know right now I just want someone to be sad with.”
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It’s the kind of line that feels both melancholy and comforting, capturing the essence of finding connection in imperfection.
Musically, “Sad Eyes” is a departure from Hubbard’s past work. Built in collaboration with James Treichler at his home studio, the track layers electronic drum samples with warm instrumentation and Hubbard’s unmistakable vocals. The production is crisp but never sterile, still carrying the organic, lived-in quality that longtime fans love. The groove is smooth, understated, and leaves plenty of space for Hubbard’s lyrical storytelling to shine.
This song also sets the tone for Hubbard’s upcoming 10th studio project, Vol 1: Letting Go (dropping October 2025). The EP marks the beginning of a two-volume journey into R&B, soul, and pop textures, a big step for an artist who’s made his name in folk and Americana circles. With “Sad Eyes,” Hubbard proves he’s not afraid to stretch his sound and explore new territory. The fact that three tracks from the project were semifinalists in the 2024 International Songwriting Competition (each in different genres!) only reinforces his versatility.
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“Sad Eyes” is both a love song and a reinvention. It shows Hubbard’s willingness to experiment while keeping his lyrical core intact. For fans, it’s an exciting preview of what’s to come on Vol 1: Letting Go, and for new listeners, it’s the perfect entry point into an artist who blends warmth, vulnerability, and now, a new sonic palette.
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