After spending much of his career performing for sold-out arenas and television audiences, Kendall Schmidt is embracing a quieter side of his artistry. The Big Time Rush singer has released his new solo single, “Good Love,” a stripped-back reflection on how lasting relationships can reshape one's outlook on life.
Released October 9, the Nashville-based musician's latest offering moves away from the high-energy pop that helped establish him as a household name. Instead, Schmidt turns toward intimate songwriting and understated production, drawing inspiration from his experiences as a husband and father.
Recorded at home, “Good Love” favors simplicity over spectacle, with Schmidt citing the early work of indie-folk artist Bon Iver as an influence on the song's arrangement and vocal approach.
“I really wanted to make something stripped down and simple, using Bon Iver’s earlier songs and the vocal style as inspiration,” Schmidt explained. “The feeling behind the song is the change in attitude you can have with ‘good love.’”
For Schmidt, the song explores how feeling understood by a partner can change even the most difficult days. Rather than romanticizing grand gestures, he focuses on the emotional relief that comes from a relationship built on mutual understanding.
“Sometimes, we underestimate the weight we carry on our shoulders. We can get easily irritated and grouchy,” he continued. “Then, when you and your partner's love languages match up, it’s incredible how quickly that attitude can change. In some ways, it can be unrecognizable to the person you were before.”
That perspective reflects a significant evolution for the singer, whose career has been closely associated with the exuberance of mainstream pop. Now married and raising a daughter, Schmidt is drawing inspiration from the everyday experiences of family life, approaching romance with the perspective of someone interested in sustaining love rather than chasing it.
“Good Love” is the latest installment in a growing solo catalog that includes 2025's “Shattered” and “Honeydew,” followed by “Any Less” earlier this year. Together, the releases reveal an artist increasingly comfortable with vulnerability and a songwriting style centered on sincerity.
Schmidt's journey began long before this quieter creative chapter. He rose to international prominence in 2009 as a member of Big Time Rush, the pop group formed around Nickelodeon's television series of the same name. The band's popularity extended well beyond television, eventually leading to international tours and sold-out performances at venues including New York's Madison Square Garden and Amsterdam's Ziggo Dome.
Following a lengthy negotiation with Sony and Nickelodeon, Schmidt and his bandmates secured ownership of their name, master recordings and artistic rights in 2021, opening a new period of creative independence for the group.
His interests outside Big Time Rush have also shaped his musical identity. Schmidt founded TOLBooth Records and formed the alternative-pop duo Heffron Drive with Dustin Belt, releasing the album Happy Mistakes. His songwriting and collaborative credits have included work with Hilary Duff.
That experience has carried into his current solo recordings, although the creative process looks considerably different. Rather than relying on large songwriting sessions and elaborate studio arrangements, Schmidt frequently works from home with producer Adam Korbesmeyer, using recording equipment he has kept for more than a decade.
His independence extends beyond songwriting and production. An avid photographer, Schmidt takes an active role in developing the imagery surrounding his music, from single artwork to merchandise, helping establish a visual identity distinct from his work with Big Time Rush.
With more solo material planned, Schmidt appears increasingly interested in making music that reflects his life away from the stage. “Good Love” offers a particularly personal example, trading the scale of an arena anthem for the familiar emotions of marriage, parenthood and the comfort of being understood.
“Good Love” is available now on streaming platforms. Listen to the single on Apple Music and watch the official visualizer below.
