Tyler Childers – Purgatory

Purgatory, released in 2017, is Tyler Childers’ breakthrough album and a defining work in modern Americana. Produced by Sturgill Simpson and David Ferguson, the record fuses raw country storytelling with bluegrass grit and Appalachian soul. Songs like “Feathered Indians,” “Whitehouse Road,” and “Lady May” showcase Childers’ vivid songwriting—earthy, poetic, and steeped in the rhythms of rural life. His voice, equal parts rasp and warmth, grounds the record in emotional authenticity, while the band’s tight arrangements give the songs a timeless, lived-in feel. In the broader context of contemporary country music, Purgatory stands as a revitalizing force. It bridges traditional roots with modern sensibility, appealing to both purists and new audiences drawn to honesty over polish. The album’s success helped position Childers as one of the leading voices in Americana, admired for his storytelling craft and refusal to compromise his sound. It remains a milestone of modern roots music—unpretentious, soulful, and enduringly real.

Reviews

“Purgatory is the rare album that feels completely lived in—gritty, graceful, and full of heart.” – Rolling Stone

“Childers’ writing is sharp, his voice world-weary but hopeful; Purgatory stands shoulder to shoulder with the genre’s great modern works.” – Pitchfork