The country newcomer opens up about his ex and writing for women.
Any day we get to stare at Sam Hunt is a good day for us.
The 30-year-old country singer covers Billboard's latest Music's Men of Style issue, looking very fashionable in black leather pants and a tan cashmere coat. (Shout out to Adam Lambert, Wiz Khalifa and Lenny Kravitz, who round out the special four-cover issue.)
WATCH: How Sam Hunt Bucked Bro-Country and Found Success
Let's all take a moment to enjoy Hunt's longing gaze and observe his new facial hair.
Hunt opens up about his journey from collegiate quarterback to country music's hot new thing, most recently making headlines for his duet with Taylor Swift on his single "Take Your Time" during a recent stop on her 1989 Tour.
"I always appreciated the personal element of her songwriting. My favorite way to write is to be honest and unique, so in that regard there’s a similarity," he said.
WATCH: Sam Hunt Plays Diva Trivia and TOTALLY Rocks It
Hunt also spoke about his ex-girlfriend (whom he has never officially named, though the mag points to a "dark-haired beauty" named Hannah Lee Fowler) and how she influenced his debut album, Montevallo, which was named for her hometown.
"I spent a lot of time talking to her about the songs and asking, 'What do you think about this?'" he said. "Her perspective was a powerful part of me being able to connect with a female audience, not just a male audience."
And that connection has been key for Hunt, who noted that "Respect for women was a very important part of my upbringing... The women in my life demanded that from me."
Though Hunt found himself a tabloid target earlier this year, with an Us Weekly report claiming he had "hooked up" with Bachelorette star Andi Dorfman in June (both parties deny it), he says today definitively: "I'm single."
WATCH: You Need to Watch Sam Hunt's Mom Adorably Brag About Him
ET got up close and personal with the most important lady in Hunt's life, his mama, at the ACM Awards this year.
"I'm somewhat emotional and I think I get it from her," he admitted, while mom beamed that she "could not be more proud."
"This is so surreal for me, to see him like this at an award show," she gushed. "I'm really excited for him."
Re-live the aww-inducing moment in the video below.