Country’s newest supergroup The Highwomen released their self-titled debut album this week, and it is a record that truly is the sum of its parts and more: a near perfect album crafted and refined by four of the greatest musicians and songwriters currently out there. 

Comprised of Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris, Amanda Shires, and Natalie Hemby, this quartet are a 21st-century answer to country music’s previous go-to supergroup: The Highwaymen. But unlike Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson, this quartet have joined forces at the peak of their respective careers.

The brainwave of Shires, who formed the group in response to the lack of female voices she heard on country radio while touring her own hit record To The Sunset, The Highwomen recorded in Nashville, and the record was produced by long-time Shires collaborator Dave Cobb at Nashville’s RCA Studio A.

If the The Highwomen are country music’s newest superheroes, album opener Highwomen feels like their origin story, a beautifully penned statement of intent from a group who have branded themselves as a collective, a movement, as much as a band. Lead single Redesigning Women is a ludicrously catchy affair, a stomping singalong set against Shires’ husband Jason Isbell’s – a country behemoth himself – sparkling guitar work.

My Only Child – sung beautifully by Hemby – and the Shires written and performed Cocktail And A Song are the album’s standout tender numbers, gorgeously emotional tales of parenthood, pain and loss with lyrics dripping with feeling and honesty of the kind few artists can conjure up with such regularity. 

Away from the introspection, those of us looking for the party will be more than satisfied with My Name Can’t Be Mama and Heaven Is A Honky Tonk – featuring guest appearances from Sheryl Crow and Yola – both every bit the country classics this foursome specialise in.

The Highwomen are a group that are proudly, and rightfully, flying the flag for women in music. Just as importantly though, and irrespective of gender, they are among the very best and most talented musicians we have, and this is a record that deserves to be cherished for its masterful songwriting and musicianship, as well as its noble cause. 

Track listing for The Highwomen:

1. Highwomen
2. Redesigning Women
3. Loose Change
4. Crowded Table
5. My Name Can’t Be Mama
6. If She Ever Leaves Me
7. Old Soul
8. Don’t Call Me
9. My Only Child
10. Heaven Is A Honky Tonk
11. Cocktail And A Song
12. Wheels Of Laredo

Find out more about The Highwomen here

 Country