Chris Stapleton released his fifth studio album, Higher. The 14-track release cements the singer-songwriter as one of the best country artists in the game right now.
According to Rolling Stone, “Higher is the first album in which Stapleton had a hand in writing every single song, and the record marks the debut co-producer credit for his longtime secret weapon (and wife) Morgane Stapleton.” Because of this, the album comes across as the most authentic and purposeful record Stapleton has ever released.
The title track is “Higher.” It is a soulful song about devotion and the redemptive power of love. This is a common motif in Stapleton’s discography, but it is never over-done. With every song that walks this same road, he explores further and further love’s vital, cleansing role in a man’s rough life.
In an interview with American Songwriter, he discussed the title track:
“The title track, ‘Higher’ is what year is it? 22 years old, 23 years old,” Stapleton said. “That song was on the first demo session I ever did when I moved to [Nashville] as a songwriter. I wrote that song by myself and it’s been hanging around ever since.”
He further explained why this album and its title track took so long to put together:
“I think I was probably afraid of it for a long time,” the artist commented. “My wife would always push for that song. She was like, ‘You should try that’ and I would be like, ‘I don’t know if I have it right now. I don’t know if I have it anymore.’”
Stapleton recently performed the new album’s first single “White Horse” at the CMAs. He won the award for Male Vocalist of the Year at the event.
Higher‘s Tracklist
The tracklist for Higher is as follows:
“What Am I Gonna Do”
“South Dakota”
“Trust”
“It Takes a Woman”
“The Fire”
“Think I’m in Love With You”
“Loving You On My Mind”
“White Horse”
“Higher”
“The Bottom”
“The Day I Die”
“Crosswind”
“Weight of Your World”
“Mountains of My Mind”
Chris Stapleton On Tour
Stapleton is currently on a tour stacked with special guests. These include George Strait, Little Big Town, Marty Stuart, Allen Stone, Nikki Lane, The War and Treaty, Lainey Wilson, Marcus King, Grace Potter, Sheryl Crow, Willie Nelson and more. He’s making several festival appearances along with the run of arenas and stadiums.
Tickets are available for Stapleton’s tour on his website. The record Higher can also be purchased via his website or from your favorite local record store.
