Chris Stapleton is a Country musician extraordinaire. Being a successful solo artist, he released a two-album project in 2017, named after the Nashville studio where he recorded the albums. He clearly was on a roll by this point in time in terms of musicianship. This album was nominated for numerous Country Music awards and won the SESAC Nashville Music Award as well. That takes talent to do so. In any case, this album is a continuation of the musicianship and themes present in his earlier releases, especially Volume 1 of this album series. Let’s take a good listen to this album and we shall hear what it sounds like.

Millionaire is the lead-off track and the most popular track from this album. It begins with crisp acoustic guitar playing and sounds shiny and brilliant simultaneously. Chris Stapleton sings along with backing vocals, and this tune launches quickly into a fantastic Country-based song. Nonetheless, this is an excellent and deep listening experience that is very lovely and satisfying. Chris Stapleton and his band are in fine form here, playing like they explicitly know their craft. Nonetheless, this is a great song. With lyrics about love that cannot be bought or sold, this sounds musically rich. A pleasant guitar slide guitar solo is in the second half of the song here, and this tune sounds forward-thinking and nicely played. A joyous and upbeat tune to hear, this sounds brilliant and extraordinary. A great start to this album, and worth your time. It ends with pleasant multitracked guitars, before concluding. Sweet.

Hard Livin’ begins with some awesome Southern Rock-styled guitar playing and singing. This is instantly memorable and different from anything else out there. It quickly launches into a deep and meaningful Country-styled tune that is quintessential listening. This is one of the better songs in recent years, and it is a real joy to hear. A great example of what makes Chris Stapleton a great musician. The midsection in particular is quite interesting to listen to here, and the whole tune sounds really glorious. A fun, funky and interesting tune with slide guitar galore, this is one of the more underrated Chris Stapleton cuts. The solo section at the end is fantastic. Great job.

Scarecrow In The Garden begins with more crisp acoustic guitar playing and hi-hats. It sounds really sweet and lovely, from the start. Chris Stapleton sings really nicely about rural life, and he sounds like he is in fine form here, once again. Once the chorus hits, one feels moved. This is articulate, interesting and excellent music to hear for a postmodern Country music audience. This has some Psychedelic imagery throughout, just making it sound that little more interesting than your average Country music out there. With references to a scarecrow in said garden that looks like the devil himself, this is a very awesome tune. Definitely worth listening to. A sweet and different listen from Chris Stapleton. It ends with lone singing and wraps up nicely. Excellent.

Nobody’s Lonely Tonight opens as an emotional ballad with a hint of melancholy about it. Chris Stapleton sings from a fairly dark and emotional place in this song and has some interesting electric guitar and a fantastic rhythm section to match his music. If anything, Chris Stapleton’s music is highly underrated. Towards the middle of the song is a nice guitar solo that sounds very different to anything else that you will hear. All in all, this works wonderfully. This is ideal for drinking whiskey and smoking Marlboro cigarettes to. Nonetheless, it is really timeless and beautiful. A great and emotional listening experience, this sounds fantastic. It ends with some emotional guitar sounds after the vocals conclude. Nice.

Tryin’ To Untangle My Mind begins with a thunderous drum roll, launching into a gloriously good tune about drinking and womanising. Chris Stapleton sounds really fantastic here, and he delivers a great musical statement on this song. This song is about trying to untangle one’s mind from personal issues in one’s life. Musically, it is matched by acoustic guitars, Fender Telecaster and decent percussion. It sounds super brilliant throughout. Chris Stapleton obviously knows how to make great postmodern Country music, with style and grace. A fluid, melodic and interesting listening experience. Worth your time and ears. Great to listen to.

A Simple Song begins with some rather melancholy acoustic guitar parts and sounds quite emotional as a result. Chris Stapleton is singing nicely here, and he sounds quite emotional on this song. A great mixture of backing vocals from Chris Stapleton and his wife over acoustic guitars is present, and the music is again, highly valued and superb. All in all, this is a bittersweet acoustic ballad that sounds really beautiful and brilliant. A lovely listen, and something worth one’s ears 100%. Great music to listen to and enjoy. Chris Stapleton showcases a rawer and more emotional side of himself in this song. This is a tune for those who value brokenhearted Country music done very simply. Another great tune.

Midnight Train To Memphis begins with some heavy Fender Telecaster-styled guitar riffs and launches into something very different for this album with pounding drums and a great sense of energy about it. This is one of the highlights of the album, and it sounds awesome and tremendously great. A lively, upbeat and powerful tune that sounds super energetic and wonderful throughout. This is completely different to the Kid Rock song of the same name, it just kicks the proverbial a bit more than expected here. An energetic, loud, powerful and wonderful listen, this is definitely worth listening to. A fine and awesome tune about travelling through the USA with some twists and turns musically, this is a must-listen from this album. A fantastic song, Chris Stapleton succeeds in moving the listener emotionally. Great song, it ends with some great Fender Telecaster riffing. Brilliant.

Drunkard’s Prayer is another acoustic ballad that sounds quite deep. It is a straightforward tune with excellent singing and playing by Chris Stapleton here, and it is sweet and moving throughout. A really lovely tune about talking to God when inebriated, this is a really cool and awesome tune to listen to. Chris Stapleton proves that, even on his lesser tracks such as this one, he is brilliant and professional. Singing about desperately wanting to go to Church instead of having to drink to talk to God, this obviously is a song of conflicting emotions deep inside oneself. Another great, great listen from Chris Stapleton, and emotionally starkly so. A really pleasant and tuneful listen from start to finish, this sounds really wonderful and excellent throughout. Worth your time 100%. A fine acoustic ballad worth your time and listening skills. It ends with excellent acoustic guitar, good job.

Friendship begins with some pleasant flanger-affected electric guitar, deep basslines and great drumming. Chris Stapleton sings about the spirit of friendship here, and he has made a great tune to conclude this great album. A minimalistic but interesting listen devoted to the spirit of helping out one’s fellow man with a spirit of kindness and compassion, Chris Stapleton proves himself to be an awesome storyteller and poet throughout his music. A great, great listen to finish off a stunningly good album. There is a nice guitar solo in the second half here, which illuminates the song more than you’d expect. A great, compassionate and interesting listen throughout, this sounds really great and fantastic from start to finish. Another outstanding tune by Chris Stapleton that shines a light through the darkness. Worth it and a memorable and loveable listen. It ends the album on a high note.

There is no doubt that Chris Stapleton is a great musician, period. His ability to craft new music that is decent, well produced and catchy is a testament to his skills and abilities as a songwriter and musician. This album is no different from the other releases in his back catalogue which are also absolutely quintessential listens. A great, great listening experience is present here, and the reader should embrace it. Should you listen to this album? Absolutely, it is a tremendously wonderful effort that never gets dull, boring or old.

Another fantastic listening experience from one of the best Country musicians alive today.

9/10