Kentucky native Chris Stapleton has only been familiar to some with his multi-nominated, award winning album Traveller, but this bluesy country boy has had a lengthy history in the Nashville scene – he’s been a hard working coveted songwriter, whose tunes can be heard by greats like George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Luke Bryan, and multi-award winner Adele. He was also the frontman for the incredible group The SteelDrivers, so suffice it to say, Stapleton has the credentials.
But it was his breakout album Traveller, released in May 2015, that pushed Stapleton into the light; not for earnest radio play, but for the album’s success and accolades that resulted in multiple nominations and awards. Now keeping up the momentum, Stapleton has just released his newest album From a Room: Volume 1 on May 5, 2017 and the first single “Either Way” has hit the ground running.
“Either Way” is an emotional ballad that is solely an acoustic performance accompanied by soft strumming of a guitar. Stapleton’s gruff vocals and impressive range only intensifies the pain a couple, in the midst of a breakup, are feeling. They go through living life on the outside as if nothings wrong, when life behind the walls are anything but. One partner can’t seem to let go, while the other doesn’t care anymore:
“We pass in the halls, on our way to separate rooms/ The only time we ever talk, are when the monthly bills are due/ We go to work, we go to church, we fake the perfect life/ I’m past the point of giving dams/ and all my tears are cried / We can just go on like this/ Say the word, we’ll call it quits/ Baby you can go or stay, but I won’t love you either way”.
His vocals are strong yet softened by the somber guitar, a feat that wouldn’t work with just any tune, a craft that Stapleton has perfected.
If this song seems familiar, it’s because country singer Lee Ann Womack recorded it for her 2008 Grammy Nominated album Call Me Crazy where Stapleton sang backup vocals. The tune was a favorite on the album even though it was never released as a single.
Stapleton’s album is on track to follow in the success of Traveller, so if you enjoyed the first single, you can download and give a listen for yourself. For more information on the album and appearances, go to his website www.chrisstapleton.com.