Country megastar Chris Stapleton has been on a roll for decades as he has penned songs for massive country musicians like Lee Ann Womack and Darius Rucker while evolving as a solo artist and constructing his fanbase. It is now the third anniversary of his fourth studio album, Starting Over. Stapleton is celebrating with his fans by dropping his fifth studio album, Higher. The Nashville native and his wife, Morgane, on backing vocals, share natural and vigorous talent with the world. Stapleton has engraved a slot in the music industry as a bearer of authentic, heartfelt storytelling. You are taking a voyage of emotional turmoil through themes of love, heartbreak, and alcoholism.
“White Horse” is the lead single off the album, which is more of a fierce rock-oriented track reminiscent of early ZZ Top. Stapleton references his dream of being a cowboy who rides alongside his special somebody on a majestic white horse, but he is too afraid of commitment to go through with the ideals of being together. He does hope that she waits for him to boss up.
Saying that romantic connections represent a lot about Stapleton would be an understatement. The theme of romance is dominant in this album, which brings out his best arrangements. From song three, “Trust,” to titular song nine, “Higher,” there are all love songs delivered back-to-back. My favorite of this bunch is “The Fire.” Stapleton describes a love interest not fully noticing the effort or the “fire inside of him” that could make the relationship go beyond its current status. A contagious guitar pattern plays throughout the song that’s stuck in my head hours after listening.
I also thoroughly appreciate “Think I’m In Love With You” for its straightforward, yet memorable melody and subject matter that brings me back to Teddy Pendergrass or The O’Jays. The soulful guitars and low drums expand the lyrical value of “It Takes A Woman,” a song about Stapleton’s lover bringing out the best in him and providing well-deserved comfort. I could listen to this man sings about the woman in his life for hours.
We get to hear Stapleton assemble songs about heartbreak and his coping methods. Stapleton tackles the touchy subject of alcoholism just as frequently as he does his positive romantic relationships, his drink of choice being whiskey. Songs like “What Am I Gonna Do?”, written alongside Miranda Lambert, and “The Bottom” give you a solid idea of how the effects of drinking liquor while heartbroken can tarnish a man’s mind and body.
“The Day I Die” is easily the most heartbreaking song on the project, documenting how Stapleton ending his relationship would be the end of his life. The pain in his voice through the barreling screams is something special you do not get from many artists nowadays. “Trust” is another heart-wrenching song about how true love overshadows its darkest moments. Stapleton provides a clear view of some of the struggles similar to a bad relationship with lyrics like “Though we jump through hoops and dance on wires/Walk on broken glass and play with fire.”
I think it is interesting how this album clocks in at 55 minutes, but it feels like it is half of that time. The large portion of the album being back-to-back love songs makes everything feel compact, limiting that creative balance. I wish Stapleton separated them so the album could have that difference throughout, or at least put all the love songs at the front and the sad ones near the bottom. I have no complaints about the tracks, but I hoped he would switch up the topic or take more stylistic risks. It is obvious he is sticking to what he is used to since this album sounds like everything else since going solo. The song “Crosswind” is astonishing but has no business on an album about drinking through pain and being madly in love.
In wrapping up the exploration of Higher, it becomes evident that Stapleton remains a maestro of emotional storytelling, skillfully weaving narratives traversing love, heartbreak, and coping with life’s challenges. With a career steeped in songwriting for country luminaries and a steadfast commitment to authenticity, Stapleton’s artistry on Higher continues to resonate with listeners. The album’s thematic concentration on love, accentuated by standout tracks like “The Fire,” showcases Stapleton at his lyrical best, the poignant exploration of heartbreak and the perils of alcoholism in songs like “What Am I Gonna Do?” adds depth to the emotional spectrum.
However, as the album leans heavily on back-to-back love songs, a desire for a more varied thematic balance arises. The consistent stylistic tone, while a trademark of Stapleton’s solo career, may leave some listeners yearning for more experimentation. Despite this, Higher is a testament to Stapleton’s enduring prowess as a storyteller and musician, offering a compelling chapter in his ongoing musical legacy.
