The Highwomen Are a Phenomenon, and Now They Have a Smash-Hit Debut Album

On Sept. 6, The Highwomen released their anticipated full-length album. The country/indie supergroup featuring Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris, Natalie Hemby and Amanda Shires has amassed a ton of buzz in recent months.

The concept of an all-female homage to the Highwaymen, which of course featured Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson, was a strong one to pursue, and with the help of acclaimed Nashville producer Dave Cobb, the idea came to fruition.

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On Monday, it was announced that the album debuted at the top spot on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart in its first week of eligibility. It also landed at No. 10 on Billboard’s overall Billboard 200 chart, which is definitely not something to scoff at.

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It doesn’t take a music history scholar to understand why folks are taking such a strong interest in the Highwomen and their aesthetic.

The quartet of musicians making up the supergroup work together exceedingly well, for one, and their lyrical content shines as a powerful beacon of hope for women today, which is obviously an aspect of their music that resonates deeply with listeners. It’s both a timeless and timely listen — blending both their inspiration and country roots with an urgency and an important point of view that’s vital in these contemporary times.

Plus, the quality of the music on this album — the list of special guests who lent a hand in the studio crafting these recordings is dizzying:

Sheryl Crow (vocals, background vocals, bass), Yola (vocals, background vocals), Cobb (acoustic/electric guitar), Jason Isbell (acoustic/electric guitar), Phil Hanseroth (bass, background vocals), Tim Hanseroth (guitar, background vocals), Chris Powell (drums) and Peter Levin (piano and keyboards) with songs written by Carlile, Hemby, Morris, Shires, Isbell, the Hanseroth twins, Rodney Clawson, Lori McKenna, Miranda Lambert and Ray LaMontagne among many others.

The end result is a powerhouse debut album from a group many are rapturously enthusiastic about, so get on board — the sky’s the limit for the Highwomen.

Stream the album below, via Spotify: