Dwight Yoakam's new '3 Pears' album promises to be an eclectic mix of cowboy hurt, barroom brawling and sizzling guitar delivered by a legend who's never shied from danger. 'Dim Lights, Thick Smoke' -- a song premiering exclusively on Taste of Country before the album goes on sale Sept. 18 -- proves Yoakam hasn't lost a bit of his edge in the seven years between studio albums. 

The uptempo rocker is what Yoakam was referring to when he said the new disc would include cowpunk, a sub-genre that fuses punk rock with steel guitars. The style was popular in the early '80s, but never caught on with mainstream radio. Yoakam delivers it fresh with inflections unique to the Kentucky native.

"Dim lights, thick smoke and loud, loud music / Is the only kind of life you will ever understand," he sings to begin the song.

Fans can pre-order '3 Pears' at iTunes. The singer's website is giving fans a chance to listen to more cuts before they're released, plus the opportunity to win an autographed custom Gibson Elitist Dwight Yoakam "Dwight Trash" Casino guitar. More bonus features will be added to the interactive website leading up to next Tuesday's release.

Listen to Dwight Yoakam, 'Dim Lights, Thick Smoke'

More From Taste of Country