Orville Peck has made a name for himself with his unique blend of country and alternative sounds, his mysterious persona, and his theatrical performances. His latest album, "Stampede," however, falls short of expectations, feeling more like a collection of disjointed tracks rather than a cohesive body of work. While a handful of songs shine as potential singles, the album as a whole fails to deliver consistent quality or direction.

The biggest issue with "Stampede" is its lack of coherence. The album feels like a series of mismatched pieces rather than a unified whole. The tracks jump from one style to another without any clear thread tying them together. This inconsistency detracts significantly from the overall listening experience, making it difficult to engage with the album as a complete work.

Despite its flaws, "Stampede" isn’t a complete loss. "Back At Your Door" stands out as a beautiful and heartbreaking ballad about longing to return to a past lover's life. The emotional depth and sincerity in Debbi Dawson and Peck's performance make this track a standout.

Peck's continued effort to push the boundaries of country music is commendable. "Midnight Ride," featuring Diplo, is a prime example of this. The track blends electronic elements with country rock, creating a unique and captivating sound that draws in listeners from different musical backgrounds. Peck’s biggest strength has always been a willingness to experiment with different genres. Stampede is no different, even if the album as a whole lacks the focus to fully realize this potential.

The numerous high-profile features on the album are a double-edged sword. While it's impressive that Peck managed to collaborate with artists like Elton John, Teddy Swims, Noah Cyrus, Beck, and Willie Nelson, their contributions often overshadow Peck himself. Each track feels more like a showcase for the featured artist rather than a cohesive part of Peck's vision. This star-studded lineup, rather than enhancing the album, turns it into a collection of individual performances, detracting from the sense of a unified artistic statement.

The absence of a central theme or tone is particularly glaring. Tracks like "Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly Fond of Each Other," a provocative and well-executed cover, seem out of place next to more generic offerings like "How Far Will We Take It?" The latter, a forgettable and uninspired country song, exemplifies the album's lack of direction and coherence.

"Stampede" is a disappointing effort from Orville Peck. While there are standout tracks that might find success as singles, the album as a whole suffers from a lack of cohesion and direction. The impressive list of featured artists and Peck's genre-blending ambitions are not enough to save it from feeling like a disjointed collection of songs rather than a unified album. Fans of Peck's previous work may find moments to enjoy, but overall, "Stampede" fails to live up to its potential.

Order Stampede by Orville Peck HERE