Broken Branches (album)

Last updated

Broken Branches
Dierks Bentley - Broken Branches.png
Studio album by
ReleasedJune 13, 2025 (2025-06-13)
Genre
Length36:31
Label Capitol Nashville
Producer Jon Randall, Ross Copperman
Dierks Bentley chronology
Gravel & Gold
(2023)
Broken Branches
(2025)
Singles from Broken Branches
  1. "She Hates Me"
    Released: February 14, 2025

Broken Branches is the eleventh studio album by American country music artist Dierks Bentley. It was released on June 13, 2025, through Capitol Records Nashville. [1]

Contents

Background and recording

The creation of Broken Branches began following the release of Bentley’s tenth studio album, Gravel & Gold, as he sought to explore new emotional and sonic territories. Songwriting sessions began in mid-2023, collaborating with longtime co-writers like Brett Beavers, Devin Dawson, and Ashley Gorley along with new contributors. [2]

Bentley stated he listened to nearly 4,000 songs before selecting seven for the album, in addition to four he co-wrote, aiming to highlight overlooked and unique pieces referring to songs like "Standing in the Sun". [3] Saying, "Not the real popular ones, the songs that are the forgotten misfits that say something kind of quirky and weird, and then seeing what we can do with them. I love finding great music". [4]

The album was recorded beginning in early 2024 and reflects Bentley's desire to embrace authenticity and imperfection. According to Bentley, each track grew from an acoustic-guitar foundation in whatever direction "felt right", guided by producers Jon Randall and Ross Copperman. Key contributing musicians include Charlie Worsham, Jedd Hughes, Rob McNelley, and Bryan Sutton. [5]

Bentley has described the album as a representation of "what country music is" to him, emphasizing community spirit and individuality: "The country music community has a lot of broken branches in it. That's why we're all here... This is the people's music, and it represents that spirit of individuality so well." [6] The final tracklist includes four songs co-written by Bentley and seven from outside writers, a process he described as digging "deeper than ever" into Nashville's songwriting community. He emphasized his desire to find "the forgotten misfits that say something kind of quirky and weird". [7]

Content

The album comprises 11 tracks blending country, bluegrass, and grunge-inspired alt-country. Thematically, the songs celebrate outliers, misfits, emotional resilience, and imperfect beauty. The title track, "Broken Branches" serves as the album's anchor, featuring both John Anderson and rising artist Riley Green. It has been described as a "mood-boosting jukebox stomp" honoring black sheep across generations. [8]

"Cold Beer Can" offers a meditative twist on a standard drinking song, while the banjo-led "Near You" featuring Miranda Lambert tributes an essential life companion. “Well Well Whiskey” returns Bentley to his bluegrass roots with a feverish pace. “Jesus Loves Me” explores heartbreak with gospel undertones in a grunge-influenced style, while "Off the Map" reflects quiet escape. "Something Worth Fixing" is described as a propulsive acoustic jam that highlights life’s imperfections as part of its beauty. [9]

“Standing in the Sun” radiates the energy of true romance, and “For As Long As I Can Remember” is a tribute to fatherhood. "Don't Cry for Me" brings the album full circle with emotional closure. [10]

Singles

"She Hates Me" was released as the lead single on February 14, 2025, and marked the highest-debuting single of Bentley’s career. The track blends elements of Keith Whitley and Weezer, with Billboard describing it as containing Bentley’s “trademark humor” with a subtle post-grunge homage to the 2001 single She Hates Me by Puddle of Mudd. [11] [12]

"Cold Beer Can", "Well Well Whiskey", and "Standing in the Sun" were released as promotional singles ahead of the album. [13] [14] [15]

Promotion

To coincide with the album's official announcement, Bentley launched the Broken Branches Fund, a charitable initiative named after the album. [16] The fund was established to support individuals and families facing hardship in rural communities, reflecting the album's themes of resilience, community, and individuality. Bentley described the fund as a way to give back to the very people whose lives and stories inspired much of the record. [17]

In support of the album's release, Bentley launched the 30-city Broken Branches Tour on May 29, 2025, with opening acts including Zach Top and The Band Loula. [18]

Track listing

Broken Branches track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Cold Beer Can" (featuring Stephen Wilson Jr.)
2:43
2."Jesus Loves Me"
  • Adam James
  • Ben Stennis
  • Allison Veltz Cruz
3:25
3."She Hates Me"
2:50
4."Something Worth Fixing"
  • Wilson Jr.
  • Dick
  • Bentley
3:11
5."Standing in the Sun"
  • Kyle Sturrock
3:46
6."Well Well Whiskey"
3:34
7."Broken Branches" (featuring John Anderson and Riley Green)
  • Zach Abend
  • Beau Bailey
  • Graham Barham
3:17
8."Off the Map"
  • Jeremy Bussey
  • Lauren McLamb
  • Adam Wood
3:12
9."Never You" (featuring Miranda Lambert)
  • Scooter Carusoe
  • Copperman
  • Ben Williams
3:36
10."For as Long as I Can Remember"
  • Dawson
  • Connie Harrington
3:50
11."Don't Cry for Me"
3:03
Total length:36:31

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal. [19]

Musicians

  • Dierks Bentley – lead vocals (all tracks), electric guitar (track 2), background vocals (3, 9)
  • Ross Copperman – background vocals (1, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11), keyboards (2, 3), programming (2, 3, 9), electric guitar (3, 8), banjo (3); bass, percussion (5)
  • Bryan Sutton – acoustic guitar (1–3, 6, 10, 11), mandolin (2, 6), guitar (6), banjo (11)
  • Jedd Hughes – electric guitar (1–3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11)
  • F. Reid Shippen – programming (1–3, 5, 6, 9, 11)
  • Jimmy Wallace – keyboards (1–3, 5, 10, 11), Hammond B3 (6)
  • Chad Cromwell – drums (1–3, 6, 9–11), percussion (2, 3, 6, 9, 11)
  • Michael Rinne – bass (1, 10, 11)
  • Stephen Wilson Jr. – acoustic guitar, lead vocals (1)
  • Craig Young – bass (2–4, 6–9)
  • Jon Randall – background vocals (2, 3, 6, 9), electric guitar (6, 8)
  • Brandon Hood – electric guitar (2)
  • Danny Rader – electric guitar, keyboards (3, 5, 9); background vocals, banjo, programming (3); acoustic guitar (5, 9); bass, drums, percussion (5); bouzouki (9)
  • Shani Gandhi – background vocals (3)
  • Brandon Towles – programming (3)
  • Jerry Roe – drums, percussion (4, 7, 8)
  • Rob McNelley – electric guitar (4, 7, 8)
  • Dan Dugmore – pedal steel guitar (4, 7), steel guitar (8)
  • Charlie Worsham – acoustic guitar (4, 7)
  • Graham Barham – background vocals (7)
  • John Anderson – lead vocals (7)
  • Riley Green – lead vocals (7)
  • Ben Helson – acoustic guitar (8)
  • Mike Johnson – pedal steel guitar (9, 10)
  • Miranda Lambert – lead vocals (9)

Technical

  • Ross Copperman – production (all tracks), additional engineering (1–5, 7–11)
  • Jon Randall – production
  • Pete Lymanmastering
  • F. Reid Shippen – mixing (all tracks), engineering (1–3, 5, 6, 9–11)
  • Shani Gandhi – engineering (2, 6, 9), digital editing (1–5, 7–11), engineering assistance (3)
  • Buckley Miller – engineering (4, 7, 8)
  • Justin Cortelyou – digital editing (1–5, 7–11)
  • Casey Wood – digital editing (2, 3)
  • Danny Rader – additional engineering (2, 3, 5)
  • Zach Abend – additional engineering (7)
  • Brent Rader – additional engineering (9, 10)
  • Daniel Bacigalupi – mastering assistance
  • Brandon Towles – mixing assistance
  • Austin Brown – engineering assistance (1, 10, 11)
  • Katelyn Prieboy – engineering assistance (2, 3, 6, 9)
  • Chris Vano – engineering assistance (4, 7, 8)
  • Mary Hilliard Harrington – executive production
  • Alena Moran – production coordination

Charts

Chart performance for Broken Branches
Chart (2025)Peak
position
US Top Country Albums (Billboard) [20] 41

References

  1. Lizzie Hyman. "Dierks Bentley Is Rolling Out His New Album Broken Branches This Summer". Billboard. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  2. Lorie Liebig. "Dierks Bentley Details New Album Broken Branches". Barn Burner Magazine. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
  3. "Dierks Bentley Shares Insight Into Broken Branches, His Forthcoming 11th Studio Album". woko.com. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  4. Lizzie Hyman. "Dierks Bentley Is in the 'Sweet Spot' of His Career as He Prepares to Release 11th Studio Album (Exclusive)". People. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  5. Madeleine O’Connell. "Dierks Bentley Announces 11th Studio Album, Broken Branches". Country Now. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  6. "Dierks Bentley Talks New Album and Country's Spirit of Individuality". WOKO. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  7. Casey Nyman. "Dierks Bentley Announces New Album 'Broken Branches' Featuring Collaborations with Riley Green, Miranda Lambert & More". Country Chord. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  8. Ryan Lippe. "Dierks Bentley Announces New Album "Broken Branches"". Country Central. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
  9. "Dierks Bentley Gathers Broken Branches, Old Friends, and New Voices for His Most Honest Album Yet". thatericalper.com. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
  10. Lorie Hollabaugh. "Dierks Bentley Celebrates The Outliers On New Project Broken Branches, Due In June". Music Row. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
  11. Tomás Mier. "Dierks Bentley Is Terrorized by a Vengeful Ex in Outrageous 'She Hates Me' Video The song, with shades of a Puddle of Mudd classic, counts all the ways a former lover hates the country singer". rollingstone.com. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  12. Billy Dukes. "Dierks Bentley Wasn't Going to Record 'She Hates Me', But Then ... Listen". Taste of Country. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
  13. Joseph Hudak. "Dierks Bentley and Stephen Wilson Jr. Look for Healing in a 'Cold Beer Can'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  14. "Dierks Bentley shares video for 'Well Well Whiskey'". capitalcountryfm.com. Web Staff. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  15. "Dierks Bentley Releases "Standing In The Sun" With One-Take Music Video Filmed At His Tennessee Farm". Whiskey Riff. Quinn Eaton. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  16. "Dierks Bentley Establishes "Broken Branches Fund"". musichealthalliance.com. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  17. Jessica Nicholson. "Dierks Bentley Teams With Music Health Alliance to Launch Broken Branches Fund Aiding Mental Health Initiatives". billboard.com. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
  18. "Dierks Bentley Kicks Off Broken Branches Tour". Antimusic. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  19. "Broken Branches / Dierks Bentley / Credits". Tidal. June 13, 2025. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  20. "Dierks Bentley Chart History (Top Country Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 23, 2025.