Whitters wrote or co-wrote all but two of the 16 songs on Corn Queen, and Whitters' husband and longtime collaborator, Jake Gear, produced the album.[1] The album's title is inspired by a nickname Whitters received from her fans, which derives from her upbringing in Iowa. Reflecting on the duality of the title, Whitters said: "Corn is this simple, humble crop, and 'queen' implies royalty passed down through blood. I come from a long line of blue-collar farmers and construction workers. I've been out here for over a decade brushing my teeth in truck stop bathrooms, sleeping on hotel floors, driving myself from gig to gig. It's not glamorous, but I'm proud of it. I like the idea of a queen with little grit and elbow grease."[2] Its cover artwork features a bust of Whitters made out of butter.[3]
Corn Queen was announced on April 4, 2025, and preceded by the release of four promotional singles — "Casseroles", "Prodigal Daughter", "High on the Hog", and "High on a Heartbreak".[2] It features collaborations with Molly Tuttle, Charles Wesley Godwin, and The Wilder Blue.
