Post Malone released his fifth studio album, Austin, on July 28, 2023. The album is named after his real name, Austin Richard Post, and marks a significant shift towards a more rock and pop sound, moving away from the hip-hop and trap of his previous works.
The record was primarily produced by Andrew Watt and Louis Bell, with contributions from Max Martin and Rami Yacoub. All songs were written by Post Malone alongside his producers, and the album was recorded in various studios across the United States between 2022 and 2023.
The lead single, Chemical, was released in April 2023 and reached the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. Other singles like Mourning and Overdrive also found success. The album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200, selling 137,000 equivalent album units in its first week.