Starting Over
Chris Stapleton · 2020
53 min · 14 tracks · country music
Soulful country melodies intertwine with heartfelt storytelling, capturing both nostalgia and raw emotion in every note.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Starting Over — The title track encapsulates the album's theme of resilience and new beginnings, featuring Stapleton's signature soulful vocals paired with reflective lyrics that resonate deeply.
-
→
Cold — This track showcases a haunting melody and poignant lyrics about heartbreak, illustrating Stapleton's ability to convey vulnerability through rich storytelling.
-
→
Joy of My Life — A tender love song that highlights Stapleton's emotional range, merging personal narrative with universal themes of devotion and appreciation for loved ones.
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 emotional depth, with cohesive pacing and effective instrumentation.
What we noticed
- Several tracks feature prominent guitar solos that enhance the emotional weight of the lyrics, particularly in 'Cold' and 'Whiskey Sunrise'.
- The last three tracks create a gradual build-up to an emotional climax, with 'You Should Probably Leave' leading into the contemplative closer 'Nashville, TN'.
- 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
-
6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
8/10
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, consistent energy levels
- long, immersive listening sessions
- gradual builds and payoffs
- heartfelt storytelling moments
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on November 13, 2020, Starting Over serves as Chris Stapleton's fourth studio album, coming after the commercial success of his previous record, From A Room: Volume 2. At this point in his career, Stapleton had solidified his status as a leading figure in country music, blending traditional influences with contemporary sounds.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Sturgill Simpson· Jamey Johnson· Kacey Musgraves
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Starting Over 4:00
- 2 Devil Always Made Me Think Twice 3:51
- 3 Cold 5:09
- 4 When I’m With You 3:43
- 5 Arkansas 2:58
- 6 Joy of My Life 4:34
- 7 Hillbilly Blood 4:05
- 8 Maggie's Song 3:31
- 9 Whiskey Sunrise 3:22
- 10 Worry B Gone 3:15
- 11 Old Friends 4:01
- 12 Watch You Burn 4:03
- 13 You Should Probably Leave 3:33
- 14 Nashville, TN 3:35
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.