He was the last to perform at LASSO last summer and he only needed one song for everyone to understand why he was the highlight of the festival: Chris Stapleton has this extra d the soul that makes great singers. His songs, even when they are rooted in the obvious, have the refinement of the greats.

The imposing bearded cowboy began his performance with White Horse, an epic piece with a strength drawn from rock that we find today in the second half of his album Higher. This disc, as we expected after hearing the first three extracts, is very varied. It Takes A Woman is a gospel-infused nighttime ballad, while Think I’m in Love With You has an irresistible groove.

The tune is country here. Except that Chris Stapleton has nothing to do with Riley Green or Morgan Wallen, who are more anchored in the new country style. He is not a traditionalist, however: he flirts with the spirit of rock, but not in its most commercial variations, unlike Luke Combs, and carries a good blues background, as well as soul and gospel influences. You can hear it everywhere: in his singing, of course, but also in his touching and effective guitar playing even when he is economical.

Higher also draws part of its power from its overall restraint. Yes, there are choruses on this record capable of packing a stadium, but above all something interior, inhabited, felt which makes a song with a hackneyed theme (What Am I Gonna Do, which speaks of drown a heartbreak) is still capable of transmitting a touching truth. Underneath this build and this bushy beard, this cowboy is very sensitive and that is what touches ours.