Despite being born and raised in Arkansas, I’ve never been a big fan of country music. 

So, when I found out about the new Chris Stapleton album, “Higher,” I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and give it a listen. My only prior exposure to his music was “Tennessee Whiskey” and his feature on “I Bet You Think About Me” by Taylor Swift. 

The most notable thing about Stapleton is his voice. He showcases major talent with his rich and deep voice and can reach into his falsetto effortlessly. I am not the only one who appreciates his voice; he won Male Vocalist of the Year at the CMA Awards for the seventh time Nov. 8. 

If you like Stapleton’s previous work, you will like this album. I suppose he has found what works for him and he’s sticking to it. 

My favorite track, “Think I’m In Love With You,” uses a sound unlike the rest of the album. He uses a funky bass line that mixes his country voice with a ’70s-inspired sound. 

Since I’m not a huge country fan, I did not like the sound of most of the album. I had a hard time getting through the whole thing because it all sounded the same to me. 

However, I did not want to give up on this album. I decided to read the lyrics without hearing the music to see if I enjoyed the songwriting. 

The lyricism in this album did not disappoint. My favorite lyric comes from the title track, “Higher,” in which Stapleton sings, “I could shoot out into space / Count the endless sea of stars / But with you, I’d have to say / My heaven’s never quite that far.” 

This is not the only instance in which Stapleton explores the theme of love. Much of his music seems to be about his wife, Morgane Stapleton, who co-produced the album and co-wrote “The Fire.”

Another love-inspired lyric that stood out to me comes from “Trust,” in which Stapleton sings, “Though we jump through hoops and dance on wires / Walk on broken glass and play with fire / Though we’re blindfolded when we turn on the light / I know everything will be alright.”

Another common theme explored by Stapleton is substance use, which he beautifully articulates in “The Bottom.” He sings, “ The bottle holds the whiskey / The whiskey holds the man / The man holds the bottle when it’s all that’s left / And the left hand lights what the right hand holds / The smoke can’t hide what the heart regrets.”

While I did not love listening to this album, I think Stapleton has real musical talent and can write beautiful and poetic lyrics. While this album did not convert me into a country music lover, I am glad I gave it a shot. 

Official Score: 7/10

Categories: Arts & Entertainment