“Higher” from Chris Stapleton dropped this morning. I’ve been anxiously awaiting the new release due to the Radio success of the driving White Horse, but that’s the only one like it on the LP. The album is very laid back. Higher reels you right in with the Miranda Lambert co-written What Am I Gonna Do. Featuring perfectly matched harmonies from wife Morgane, the opening track is a great start. What follows is a series of well-produced, soulful crooners with average lyrics that Stapleton sings better than they deserve. In fact, Stapleton’s vocals are flawless from start to finish, maybe better than any studio album before Higher. It isn’t until White Horse stampedes in 8 cuts into the album, that you feel a sense of finally! On the heels of White Horse comes the melodic title track, a song Stapleton wrote when he first moved to Nashville. It shows off his range like none other on the LP, followed by the Springsteen-esque, heartbroken, The Bottom. While Higher may be a little lyrically disappointing, the music mix is pristine, and Stapleton proves himself to be one of the best singers in Country Music. 

 

photo credit: Steve Kwak - Maryland GovPics