Chris Stapleton has had a successful career as a Country musician, ever since his 2015 debut album Traveller was a smash hit and won some recognisable awards for his efforts. Two years later, Chris Stapleton himself was back with a two-part album series, both of which were released in 2017. This is the first of these. Knowing how good the debut album from Chris Stapleton was, this should be a sensational listening experience (hopefully) so let’s take a good listen to this album and hear how it sounds.

Broken Halos launches right into it with singing and strummed acoustic guitar. It quickly launches into an irresistable listening experience that sounds great and fantastic. The lyrics are well-written, imaginative and picturesque throughout. Again, much like the rest of Chris Stapleton’s music, this is absolutely fantastic to listen to. Lovely music this is, and the tune is very pretty, beautiful and intelligently delivered. Country Music isn’t just for those out there who live in the Southern USA. Chris Stapleton proves otherwise and in great fashion. This song is a fantastic listen and one of the defining tunes by Chris Stapleton himself. Lovely and wonderful listening, this is a real winner. Fantastic and very Christian-oriented lyrically, which is good to hear, even if you don’t believe in God. A great song.

Last Thing I Needed, First Thing This Morning begins with some lush guitar playing, mainly with wah-wah guitars and some harmonica. Soon enough, some wonderful and lovely deep singing emerges that sounds really fresh and divine. Chris Stapleton sounds really awesome and tuneful here, and the music is really top-notch as a result. The chorus is a very sad reflection on a failed relationship, no spoilers here however, it is best if you listen to the song itself. Nonetheless, this is a really good tune to listen to, it is a beautiful and lovely song that is emotionally deep and wonderful throughout. Rather a slow listen, but never boring, Chris Stapleton sounds really top-notch and powerful as a musician. No matter what the subject matter is, he is an absolute professional at what he does musically. A sad lament, but definitely worth your ears, a great and grand song. Excellent.

Second One To Know begins with some dirty Fender Telecaster styled tones, launching into a fairly John Lennon-ish sounding tune. Regardless, this again, sounds great. It is a 21st century fresh take on Country Music that sounds, again, really good. Chris Stapleton proves his worth in today’s music scene and is a true talent of Country music. In the middle is a great and simply melodic guitar solo that does the job nicely. Chris Stapleton is a real professional, and he sings and plays from the heart. A really fantastic and enjoyable listening experience, even if this is more Poppy than previous musical efforts. A great and awesome guitar fill concludes this tune, with the band playing along nicely. Sweet. Nice to hear.

Up To No Good Livin’ begins with some gorgeous slide guitars, and quickly has Chris Stapleton singing about one’s relationship troubles. A good tune to listen to, the chorus in particular is a beautiful and joyful thing to hear. Plenty of traditional Country music sounds and great playing are both here. Chris Stapleton sings well here, sounding like the Southern Eric Clapton if he existed in the 21st century. A thoroughly cool and classic staple of postmodern Country Music, this is absolutely a must hear for fans of all sorts of music, not just Country. Pleasant and good music about not being decent enough to a lover, there is a pretty slide guitar solo in the second half. This is a very descriptive and lovely listen that makes sense if you have messed up in life. The combination of sounds throughout are very unique. An excellent listen.

Either Way begins with a slow and softly played acoustic guitar, which is a little eerie. Chris Stapleton sings darkly about events at hand, and he sounds very upset and lonely. This is a great listening experience for those of you who are on their last legs in life, and need something to hear to cry your eyes out to. This, again, sounds articulate and amazing. There is no doubt that Chris Stapleton articulates emotions and feelings that the English language hasn’t even found yet in existence. The chorus in particular is really amazing, with a tremendous vocal from Chris Stapleton and a great climax to this song. There is an acoustic guitar solo section here as well. This is minimal music at its best, with just Chris Stapleton and acoustic guitar, out there in the limelight. It’s a fantastic tune to hear, definitely worth your time.

I Was Wrong returns with electric guitars and pristine playing, which kicks the proverbial. Chris Stapleton quickly launches into another song about relationships and regrets. Again, this is a fantastic and excellent song to listen to. Chris Stapleton sounds like he is going through a bad time with his lover on this album, but delivers it so well that you will always remember this music for its quality from the moment you hear it. A great and simply pretty guitar solo is here, and the whole thing is marvellous to hear. A great number to listen to, Chris Stapleton puts in a really fantastic vocal performance towards the end here. Brilliant and honest sounding, the ending is sensationally great with a killer and an unforgettable vocal.

Without Your Love launches right into it with clean electric guitar parts, great bass guitar parts and hi-hats. This sounds refreshingly different to most music out there. Chris Stapleton eventually gets singing nicely, and this is about love lost that sounds like a very personal statement from the man himself. Regardless, this is a very impressive listening experience that is highly rewarding and makes more musical sense about relationship issues than anything Burt Bacharach ever did on record. The chorus has some great singing by Chris Stapleton, and he delivers wonderful and emotional music for all of us to hear. This music is crossover music for even those who aren’t Country Music fans. It simply works nicely, that is how good it is. Chris Stapleton deserves to be heard by others, and he was just getting started here. Great song.

Them Stems begins with some deep Fender Telecaster playing, driving basslines and tight drums, with Chris Stapleton singing about smoking some of the good stuff. Chris Stapleton showcases himself as a great and glorious talent out there with many ways of expressing such talent. There is a harmonica solo in this tune, just adding to the Southern USA flavour of this music. Brilliant and enjoyable, this is quite a lighter listen to hear than what has come before it. A great romp of a tune, there is a fantastic and twangy guitar solo in the second half of the song, before Chris Stapleton begins to wrap up this fine tune with some tuneful singing. Nice.

Death Row is the last song here and begins with some eerie multitracked and stereo-panned sounds, including guitar and eerie high-pitched sounds. Soon enough, this tune gets going well and sounds really excellent in the process. Chris Stapleton eventually gets singing about being trapped in life, and some awesome Fender Telecaster licks are here as well. All in all, this is an expressive and wonderful listening experience throughout. Chris Stapleton showcases his singing and musicianship openly here and is a real talent in the music world. He pleads for forgiveness in the worst of scenarios. The guitar soloing on this tune is absolutely fantastic. Chris Stapleton certainly is underrated. Another really fantastic tune to listen to, and well worth your time and ears. It ends with sparse playing and a slow fade out. Great.

Without a doubt, this is one of the best albums of 21st-century Country Rock styled music. Chris Stapleton asserts himself as a musical legend in singing, songwriting and guitar based musicianship. He really knows and understands how to make great music, even after the heyday of both Rock and Country. Therefore, there is no question about whether you should listen to this album or not, you definitely should do so. Enjoyable from start to finish.

Fine musical sounds from one of the greatest postmodern artists today.

9/10