Higher
Chris Stapleton · 2023
54 min · 14 tracks · country music
A blend of soulful melodies and heartfelt storytelling that captures the essence of modern country music.
Top tracks — play these first
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What Am I Gonna Do — This opening track sets an introspective tone with its poignant exploration of uncertainty in love, showcasing Stapleton's signature vocal strength and lyrical depth.
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It Takes a Woman — A tribute to the complexities of relationships, this song highlights Stapleton's ability to weave personal narratives into universal themes, underscored by a soulful arrangement.
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The Fire — With its powerful imagery and emotive delivery, this track embodies the album's central themes of passion and resilience, making it a standout moment in Stapleton's discography.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong songwriting and production but follows familiar country templates.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album maintains a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces slower ballads that create a reflective atmosphere.
- Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies, particularly in the choruses, enhancing emotional delivery.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady emotional exploration throughout
- heartfelt storytelling in each track
- reflective moments for quiet listening
- soulful melodies for late evenings
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced, upbeat songs
- seek standalone hit singles
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on November 10, 2023, 'Higher' is Chris Stapleton's fourth studio album, following his critically acclaimed album 'Starting Over' from 2020. At this stage in his career, Stapleton has solidified his position as a leading voice in country music, blending traditional influences with contemporary themes. This album arrives during a period of immense popularity and artistic maturity for him.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Sturgill Simpson· Jamey Johnson· Kacey Musgraves
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 What Am I Gonna Do 3:01
- 2 South Dakota 4:41
- 3 Trust 3:23
- 4 It Takes a Woman 4:06
- 5 The Fire 3:45
- 6 Think I’m in Love With You 3:42
- 7 Loving You on My Mind 3:29
- 8 White Horse 4:27
- 9 Higher 4:02
- 10 The Bottom 4:06
- 11 The Day I Die 4:05
- 12 Crosswind 3:23
- 13 Weight of Your World 3:54
- 14 Mountains of My Mind 4:25
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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