26-year-old Lawrence County, Kentucky country singer/songwriter Tyler Childers finds himself in good company as a rising country artist alongside contemporaries like Sturgill Simpson, Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton, and Colter Wall, with his breakout album, Purgatory. In fact, fellow Kentuckian Sturgill Simpson co-produced Purgatory with David Ferguson (Johnny Cash, John Prine), bringing along some of Nashville’s finest musician such as fiddler Stuart Duncan (Dolly Parton, Guy Clark), electric guitarist Michael J. Henderson (Miles Davis, John Hiatt), bassist Michael Bub (Del McCoury Band, Wanda Jackson), drummer Miles Miller (Sturgill Simpson), among others. Purgatory is a stripped-down record with elements of traditional Appalachian music, bluegrass and country music with a touch of contemporary panache. It’s also a record that address themes of hard living, rural life, drinking, smoking, cocaine and women. Album highlights include: the opening track “I swear (To God”); the country rocker, “Whitehouse Road”; the meditative road song “Universal Sound”; the love ballad “Lady May”; the soul-saving love song “Feathered Indians”; the heartbreaker “Tattoos”; and the Waylon Jennings-esque “Honky Tonk Flame.” Purgatory is one of the best albums of the year from a talented newcomer who is both a gifted storyteller and musical talent. I personally can’t wait for the next album! – Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | Brent Cobb, Jason Isbell, Sturgill Simpson, Chris Stapleton, Colter Wall