What makes In These Silent Days by Brandi Carlile notable?

This album debuted at number one on the Billboard Folk Albums chart and received critical acclaim, with notable praise from publications like Rolling Stone and NPR. It further established Carlile as a leading figure in the music industry, particularly for its themes of resilience and self-discovery during challenging times. In These Silent Days marks Brandi Carlile's sixth studio album, following the commercially successful By the Way, I Forgive You from 2018. At this point in her career, Carlile had solidified her status as a prominent voice in contemporary Americana music, receiving multiple Grammy nominations and awards that reflected her growing artistic influence.

Who is In These Silent Days for?

In These Silent Days works well if you're into steady, consistent energy levels, introspective personal reflections and emotional storytelling journeys.

How many songs are on In These Silent Days?

In These Silent Days has 10 tracks, running approximately 38 minutes.

Released 5 years ago this October

In These Silent Days

Brandi Carlile · 2021

38 min · 10 tracks · pop rock

A blend of introspective folk and rock, layered with soulful melodies and heartfelt storytelling.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Broken Horses — The track showcases Carlile's powerful vocal range and emotional depth, juxtaposing personal struggles against soaring instrumentals that evoke a sense of liberation.
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You and Me on the Rock — This song captures a serene moment of connection between lovers, blending vivid imagery with a catchy melody that highlights the simplicity and beauty of shared life.
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Right on Time — Opening the album, this track introduces Carlile’s reflective songwriting style while addressing themes of timing and personal growth set to an inviting rhythm.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album combines strong songwriting with polished production, though it doesn't fully capitalize on its thematic potential.

What we noticed

The album opens with a driving piano line that sets a reflective tone, which is maintained through the first half before shifting to more upbeat instrumentation in the latter tracks.
Several songs feature layered vocal harmonies, particularly in the choruses, creating a rich texture that enhances the emotional weight of the lyrics.
The final track concludes with a gradual fade-out, leaving a lingering sense of introspection rather than resolution.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

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, consistent energy levels
introspective personal reflections
emotional storytelling journeys
short, immersive listening sessions

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Continues Carlile's strong output, showcasing her artistic growth and relevance.
Career context: In These Silent Days marks Brandi Carlile's sixth studio album, following the commercially successful By the Way, I Forgive You from 2018. At this point in her career, Carlile had solidified her status as a prominent voice in contemporary Americana music, receiving multiple Grammy nominations and awards that reflected her growing artistic influence.
Stylistic neighbors: The Civil Wars· Sara Bareilles· Kacey Musgraves