Chris Stapleton Releases Powerful New Song, ‘Broken Halos’
Chris Stapleton fans, rejoice! The modern icon is back with another sample of new music, "Broken Halos," and it represents everything listeners have come to know and love about him.
The stripped-down tune is a commentary on, essentially, stumbling along this life together as human beings, and its lyrics are poignant enough to affect even the most cynical of us. Its mid-tempo, laid-back feel — with only guitar and vocals featuring prominently — makes it easy listening, but its core is significant.
"I wrote that song with my dear friend Mike Henderson, with whom I probably wrote more songs than anyone who is a co-writer of mine," Stapleton tells Rolling Stone. "I didn't include any songs I'd written with him on Traveller, so it was really important to me … to cut songs from some of the guys who helped me learn how to write songs, and Mike is one of those guys."
Wife Morgane joins in on the chorus for background vocals, bringing her warm harmonies that round out a Stapleton song perfectly.
“Broken Halos" appears on Stapleton’s forthcoming new album, From a Room: Volume 1, which is due out May 5. He has also released a video performing another compelling tune on the album, “Either Way,” with just an acoustic guitar (and no signature hat, it should be noted). Though he wrote the song with Kendall Marvel and Tim James, it appeared on Lee Ann Womack’s album Call Me Crazy in 2008.
Stapleton’s last record, 2015's Traveller, was his debut solo album and officially put him on the map, earning a slew of accolades, including a Grammy for Best Country Album and a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year. The much-anticipated new album will be a tough follow-up, but if anyone’s capable, it’s Stapleton.
“I’m real proud of this record,” Stapleton told reporters when the album was announced (quote via the Tennessean). “We made it right here … like the last one. We camped out in here … and had a lot of fun recording things."
From a Room: Volume 2 is slated to release later this year.
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