Richard Marx Opens Up About New Album, 'Beautiful Goodbye'

— -- Richard Marx knows his new album, "Beautiful Goodbye," sounds different from his other works.

However, he's in a completely new phase of his life.

Last year, the singer/songwriter revealed that he and his wife of more than two decades, actress Cynthia Rhodes, had split.

"I had the great blessing and fortune to share the majority of my adult life with as fine a person as I've ever known. I can't say enough about Cynthia. She's an incredibly remarkable human being," Marx told ABC News on Thursday. "I was blessed to share not only a life with her but her company so there's nothing but loving feelings for her. I celebrate the fact that I was married to this remarkable woman."

His lyrics reflect that attitude. Marx said he wanted to focus on the beauty of new beginnings, rather than the pain of a break-up.

"As difficult of a year as it's been, I didn't want to write an album of sad, maudlin songs. I chose to write about the other side of it," he said. "Everything is new and everything is hopeful."

Richard Marx Splits From Wife Cynthia Rhodes

Richard Marx Has 'Stories To Tell'

Meanwhile, the music is informed by his new love of electronic dance music, as well as the Latin and Brazilian music he's been playing lately. The result? A sound that's more sensual than some of his past records.

"I find the melodies in trance music ... so sexy. They sound like soundtracks to the sexiest movie," he said with a laugh. "I thought it would be kind of fun to create an atmosphere that sounds [like that] and apply my songwriting and create a hybrid."

For Marx, who describes himself as "completely single," this new chapter has been full of new adventures, in the studio and out. Not only is he learning to snowboard, but he's also exploring cities on his own and spending more time with his three adult sons. His harshest critics, Marx said that they all put their stamps of approval on this album, with his oldest telling him, "I think it's my favorite thing you've ever done."

"We're really great friends. We have an amazing relationship and it’s probably stronger than it’s ever been," Marx said. "It's a blessing to be best friends with your kids. It doesn't get better than that."

For a taste of Marx's new album, which dropped on July 8, check out the video for his first single, "Whatever We Started," below.