10 Artists Who Released Their Best Album First
2. Traveller - Chris Stapleton
Released three years before Stapleton joined pop legend Justin Timberlake on the tune Say Something, Traveller was country music and beard-aficionado Chris Stapleton's emergence into the Nashville scene, and immediately stunned audiences with his dynamic, raspy and seductive vocal range.
The surprise of Stapleton's exceptional vocals were felt with Traveller, an album that he has yet to match, despite a valiant effort with 2020's Starting Over.
In 2015, Traveller scooped up the CMA for Album of the Year, routing the likes of Little Big Town and the incredible Pageant Material by country darling Kasey Musgraves. There was little surprise as Traveller, while shrouded in grief after the loss of Stapleton's father, was simply a cut above the rest.
Each track explores a new aspect of country music, but the album never lacks cohesion, and avoids the pitfall of branching into so many genre nuances that it lacks identity. Traveller is a glorious introduction to Stapleton, and a mesmerising addition to 21st century country music.
Stapleton boldly stepped away from the Nashville machine, as highlighted in the devastating tune Nashville, TN released in 2020, and though Traveller provided almighty shoes to fill, the Kentucky-raised county boy can only flourish now that the glitzy lights of music row are firmly in the rear view.