Thinking about the traditionalist wing of country tends to conjure up images of forlorn strummers, basset-hound-faced baritones and downtrodden wailers spinning tales of alcoholism and woe. And that’s a damn shame. Because country music started as a release, a way for the rural poor to cut loose in dimly lit dives and torch-lit porches. It was a celebration of life generally and country living more specifically. Luckily, at least one of the genre’s designated icons gets this, carrying the torch of old country with all the flair of the flambeaux.
Chris Stapleton’s latest track is a straight-up stomper, with the roots-revivalist bringing all the power of his throaty growl to bear on a partner who just might be fooling around. We’d heard the “Second One To Know.” before when Stapleton premiered it during the Academy of Country Music Awards. The studio version captures all the vim of that performance and then some. Give it a listen up top.
“Know” is merely the latest single from Stapleton’s upcoming album From A Room: Volume 1. He’s already shared “Broken Halos” from the nine-track effort and this latest track just proves the Traveller singer’s range. The first of Stapleton’s two planned releases this year drops on May 5 via Mercury Recordings. It’s available for pre-order here.
