Kasey Chambers Backbone

An outgrowth of writing her 2024 memoir, Just Don’t Be a D**khead, Kasey Chambers’ self-produced 13th studio album finds the ARIA Hall of Fame country artist reflecting on the past, present and future alike. “The Divorce Song” reunites her with her ex-husband, Shane Nicholson, for a duet that opens with laughter and maintains that streak of good humor throughout. Inspired by their two children, “Silverado Girl” and “Arlo” both touch upon just how quickly time passes for a parent. Those aren’t the only knowing forays into childhood: With its soothing cadences and reference to counting sheep, “For Better or Worse” plays like a loving lullaby while “Little Red Riding Hood” riffs on that classic tale for a dark and jazzy vibe. Accompanied by her usual players—her guitarist father, Bill Chambers, guitarist Brandon Dodd, and bassist Jeff McCormack—along with new faces in guitarist Sam Teskey (The Teskey Brothers) and drummer Brady Blade (Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle), Chambers knows exactly when and how to let the instruments hang back for the most profound impact. Whether that’s on the two-part a cappella opening of “Dart n Feather” or a hymn-like duet with Kenyan American songwriter Ondara, she’s always centering words and vocals. That’s also apparent on the Dolly-esque bluegrass ballad “Backbone (The Desert Child)” and the tender “A Love Like Springsteen,” which nods to several of the inspiration’s songs. And on the slow-burn opener “A New Day Has Come,” Chambers looks brightly ahead until she’s repeating “Everything’s gonna be alright” over and over with resounding sense of self-belief.