What the press has been saying about… Jason Isbell – Southeastern
“…one of America’s thoroughbred songwriters, with a knack for rueful melodies
and the kind of grainy blue-collar detail that pins a song in your mind…a
breakthrough for Isbell…” – New York Times Magazine
“The words and music are scrubbed clean of self-pity and instead give off
energetic ruefulness, of the kind of that is one of the best combinations of
sobriety and clarity.” – NPR Fresh Air
“Every song on Isbell’s fourth studio album (after his Drive-By Truckers days) punches your gut.” •••1/2 (out of 4) – USA Today
“Isbell is among the finest lyricists working today, excelling at wordplay in the purest sense of the term, finding the music in language, how it sounds and flows and fits within the surrounding sounds…” 8 (out of 10) – SPIN
“’Songs That She Sang In the Shower’ is merely the best-named of the many
masterfully melancholic country ballads found on this album…”– “Must List” Entertainment Weekly
“This album is harrowing and not for the timid, but those who stick with it will betreated to a truthful, moving journey and a master class in songwriting to boot.” ••••1/2 – American Songwriter
“As good as the songs are (and I can’t stress enough just how good they really
are), Isbell’s singing may be even better.” Grade: 9 (out of 10) – Paste
“’Southeastern’ is a solo album in feel, powerfully personal both in sound and in story.” – The New Yorker
“…rich songs about love’s struggle. But “Elephant” is the masterpiece…” •••1/2 – Rolling Stone
“…Isbell has grown into one of music’s most brilliant songwriters, filling his
stories with unparalleled description.” – Garden & Gun
“If you have a pulse, it’ll bring you to your knees…’Southeastern’ is as compelling
a compendium of musical storytelling you’ll hear this year.” – Blurt
“While the album does have its guitar moments, the focus is mostly on Isbell’s
powerful vocals and fearless songwriting.” – Billboard
“…Southeastern is pretty serious business. Then again, so is life and the one that Isbell has lived thus far is certainly worth documenting, especially when the songs supporting it are this stunning.” A- – A.V. Club
“…in the brilliant ‘Southeastern’, he molded the kind of album every musician yearns to make once in his or her lifetime.” – Tone Audio
“…the strongest set of songs yet from the Alabama writer who instantly
distinguished himself as a formidable talent…but who hadn’t realized his full
potential until now.” – Philadelphia Inquirer
“…’Southeastern’ is the sound of an artist coming into his own, just like Steve
Earle did when he finally started to feel alright again.” – Sound & Vision
“He’s always been an incredible songwriter, with a keen awareness of voice and perspective.” – Popmatters
“…the ever-more-captivating-on-repeat-listens record is a quiet showcase for
Isbell’s superbly crafted songs and his evocative singing.” Grade: A
– Lincoln Star Journal
“His finest qualities — an instantly accessible Southern voice; a sidearm way
with rhymes; a sense of hard-won experience, easily passed along remain.” – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
“Jason Isbell is well on his way to becoming recognized as one of the best
songwriters today…” – LEO Weekly
“’Southeastern’ is another fine performance by Jason Isbell, whose career
continues to flourish with each song he writes and album he releases.”– Honest Tune
“What we very well may be witnessing is a songwriting legend in the making…He is the Townes Van Zandt or Guy Clark of our time.” – Saving Country Music
•••• 1/2 – Stereophile