Description
With his quadruple-platinum 2015 album, Traveller, troubadour Chris Stapleton established himself as a Nashville superstar who could interpret country songs with the touch of a great R&B singer. Stapleton’s gravelly voice, outlaw look, and earnest storytelling made him a bearded paragon of roots tradition. But that role didn’t really fit an artist who has written tunes for pop-aware country guys like Luke Bryan and Thomas Rhett and collaborated with everyone from Pink to Justin Timberlake.
But unlike his authenticity-branded contemporary Sturgill Simpson, Stapleton has never appeared tortured by the idea that he represents some sort of bygone country-rock ideal, and his fourth album, Starting Over, feels similarly at home trying whatever comes naturally. Stapleton wrote or co-wrote 11 of the 14 songs on Starting Over; it’s a cozy-campfire roots record. He digs deep into familiar territory, spinning a fiery tale of Southern-rock deliverance on “Arkansas” and a feel-good story about rescue dogs set to Pops Staples-style gospel-pop progressions on “Maggie’s Song,” while also leaning into his triumvirate of favorite topics: weed, the devil, and domestic joy. That final one is best exemplified by the title track, a rich portrayal of partnership aided by wife Morgane Stapleton, whose harmony singing serves as a moving counterpoint to Chris’ Kentucky baritone.
