Calgary artist Alex Hughes is leaning into personal storytelling as she builds toward her debut EP, using her latest single “Take Me Home” to frame country music around curiosity rather than nostalgia.

The track, which serves as the title song for her upcoming project “Take Me Home,” focuses less on place and more on understanding the people behind it, reflecting a shift in how emerging artists approach traditional country themes.

“‘Take Me Home’ feels like driving down a back road with someone you’re so into it almost scares you,” Hughes said. “It’s about wanting to know every little thing that makes them who they are, where they were raised, who raised them and all the stories that shaped them.”

She added, “Getting to share a piece of my heart through this song means everything to me, and I hope people feel that when they hear ‘Take Me Home.’”

Written by Hughes alongside Lydia Sutherland, Aaron Pollock and Forrest Finn, and produced by Dan Swinimer, the song blends country imagery with a more introspective approach. Instead of focusing solely on setting, it centers on emotional connection, using scenes of winding roads and quiet moments to explore how relationships deepen.

The single arrives as Hughes continues to expand her profile within Canada’s country music scene. Her growing audience has been supported by live performances alongside artists such as Brothers Osborne, Ashley McBryde, Josh Ross and Babyface.

She is also a two-time nominee at the Country Music Alberta Awards, recognized in the Horizon Female Artist of the Year and Fans’ Choice categories, signaling increasing industry attention as she prepares for her first full-length project.

Hughes, who draws from a mix of musical influences shaped by her South Asian and Filipino background, blends pop hooks with country storytelling, reflecting a broader trend of genre crossover among younger artists.

The upcoming EP is expected to build on that approach, combining personal narratives with a modern production style aimed at a wider audience.

With “Take Me Home,” Hughes positions her debut project around emotional depth and connection, offering a preview of an artist focused on telling stories that extend beyond place and into identity.