| Almost Daylight | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | October 11, 2019 | |||
| Studio | Room & Board Studio (Berry Hill, Tennessee) | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 40:51 | |||
| Label | Drifter's Church | |||
| Producer | Ray Kennedy | |||
| Chris Knight chronology | ||||
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Almost Daylight is the ninth studio album by American country music artist Chris Knight. The album was released on October 11, 2019, via Drifter's Church. It was produced by Ray Kennedy. The record marked Knight's first release in seven years, following his 2012 album Little Victories.
Knight, long known for his narrative-driven songwriting rooted in rural Kentucky life, had not released a studio album in over seven years when he released Almost Daylight. [1] He explained that the gap did not concern him, saying he typically waits until he has enough songs worth recording. [2] Recording took place in Berry Hill, Tennessee, and was overseen by Grammy-winning producer Ray Kennedy, who had also worked on Knight's previous album, Little Victories . [3]
The sessions featured longtime collaborator Dan Baird on guitar, who also served as what Knight called a "special helper" in arranging and shaping the sound. [2] Supporting vocals were provided by Lee Ann Womack, Siobhan Maher Kennedy, and Chris Clark. [3] Knight stated he wanted the record to have a rawer and more electric sound compared to his earlier, more acoustic-driven albums, while retaining Appalachian elements like banjo, fiddle, and harmonica. [1]
Almost Daylight was released on October 11, 2019. [4] In advance of the album, Knight shared the promotional single "I'm William Callahan" and its accompanying music video, which interspersed Knight's performance with archival rural imagery. [4] Pre-orders for the album opened alongside the preview. [5] Knight promoted the release with tour dates in Texas and throughout the United States. [3]
Almost Daylight continues Knight's tradition of writing songs about working-class struggles, small-town hardships, and resilient characters. [6] Many tracks center on people facing loss, dislocation, and the search for redemption. [7]
The album opens with "I'm William Callahan", co-written with Tim Krekel, which tells the story of an adventurous drifter reflecting on his life and youth spent hopping freight trains. [5] Knight described it as his favorite track to perform. [4]
Other original songs include "Crooked Mile", about outsiders bound by love, [1] "Won't Look Back", depicting a man fleeing a broken relationship and financial debt, [6] and "Trouble Up Ahead", which paints a menacing portrait of a weary drifter. [6] "Everybody's Lonely Now" examines heartbreak and disconnection, while "Go On" offers perseverance in the face of hardship. [1] The title track, unusually for Knight, is a love song, reflecting a gentler side of his songwriting. [1]
The record also includes Knight's first use of cover songs on an album. [1] These are Johnny Cash's "Flesh and Blood", which Knight had previously recorded for a 2002 tribute album, and John Prine's "Mexican Home", performed here as a duet with Prine. [2] Womack guests on "Sent It on Down", a bleak tale of alcoholism and economic despiar, which she had originally recorded on her 2014 album The Way I'm Livin' . [8] Another track, "The Damn Truth", reflects on dishonesty in modern society, with Knight urging listeners to find their own truth. [8]
The album was met with widespread acclaim. American Songwriter praised Knight's storytelling, gravelly vocals, and balance between electric grit and tender lyricism, calling it "arguably his finest work." [6] Glide Magazine highlighted the expanded instrumentation and bolder sound compared to earlier records, noting its themes of compassion, redemption, and love alongside Knight's trademark toughness. [1] Rolling Stone emphasized the muscular vocals and nostalgic storytelling of "I'm William Callahan", regarding it as one of Knight's standout songs. [5]
The Associated Press described the album as "gruff, uncompromising and perfect for the times," applauding its mix of raw electric swagger and lyrical poignancy. [7] Billboard underscored Knight's uncompromising approach to songwriting, emphasizing his focus on telling authentic stories rather than following commercial trends. [2]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I'm William Callahan" | 3:19 | |
| 2. | "Crooked Mile" |
| 4:05 |
| 3. | "I Won't Look Back" | Knight | 2:46 |
| 4. | "Go On" |
| 2:51 |
| 5. | "The Damn Truth" |
| 4:46 |
| 6. | "Send It on Down" (featuring Lee Ann Womack) |
| 3:59 |
| 7. | "Almost Daylight" |
| 3:08 |
| 8. | "Trouble Up Ahead" | Knight | 4:26 |
| 9. | "Everybody's Lonely Now" |
| 3:17 |
| 10. | "Flesh and Blood" | Johnny Cash | 3:09 |
| 11. | "Mexican Home" (featuring John Prine) | John Prine | 5:05 |
| Total length: | 40:51 | ||
Musicians
Production
| Chart (2019) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard) [9] | 3 |
| US Independent Albums (Billboard) [10] | 12 |