Big Thief’s Horsepower is a sprawling, 29-track double album that aims to do something simple: make a record as big as the title suggests. It is a collection of songs about love, loss, and the slow passage of time, built around a core of country and folk influences that stretch from Appalachian folk to honky-tonk to Americana. The band has assembled a massive body of work here, and the question is whether it holds together as a statement or collapses under its own weight.
Opening With Horsepower
The record starts with its namesake track, “Horsepower,” which sets the tone with a driving rhythm and a sense of forward motion. It is a song about strength and endurance, and it opens the door to the themes that follow. The song is immediate and accessible, establishing the album’s central tension between power and grace.
“Baby Honey Sweetheart Darlin’” follows, and it is one of the tracks critics singled out for praise. The song has a warm, intimate quality that feels personal, with a melody that sticks. It is a standout early in the sequence, and it earns its place among the album’s highlights.
“Wait a While” continues the streak. It is a slower, more reflective piece, with a gentle acoustic guitar line and a vocal performance that carries real emotional weight. Critics noted this track for its warmth and its connection to Appalachian folk traditions, and it stands as one of the record’s most compelling moments.
Space and Time Through 21
“Space and Time” is another highlight, and it is easy to hear why. The song has a spacious, open sound that captures the feeling of distance and longing. It is one of the tracks critics singled out, and it demonstrates the band’s ability to craft a song that feels both expansive and intimate.
“21” follows, and it is a quieter, more introspective piece. It deals with the passage of years and the way life changes over time. The song is not flashy, but it is effective, and it shows the band’s willingness to explore the mundane with genuine feeling.
“Casual Touch” is a track critics highlighted, and it is easy to see why. The song has a playful, almost whimsical quality, with a melody that is easy to hum. It is a lighter moment in the middle of a darker stretch, and it provides a welcome shift in energy.
“Muscle Memory” closes out this stretch. It is a song about repetition and habit, and it has a strong rhythmic pulse. The track is one of the highlights of the album, and it shows the band’s skill at building momentum through repetition.
Highway Through Carry
“Highway” is a mid-tempo rocker that feels like a road trip anthem. It has a loose, carefree quality, and it is a pleasant change of pace after the more introspective songs that preceded it. The song is not particularly deep, but it is fun.
“Stay” is a straightforward love song, with a simple, direct message. It is not the most memorable track on the album, but it fits the record’s overall theme of connection and commitment.
“Carry” is a more atmospheric piece, with a sense of weight and burden. It is a song about carrying someone through difficult times, and it has a gentle, supportive quality. It is a solid entry in the album’s middle stretch.
Sadness as a Gift Through Beautiful World
“Sadness as a Gift” is a dark, brooding track that deals with grief and acceptance. It is a song about finding value in pain, and it has a powerful emotional core. The track is one of the stronger entries in the second half of the album, and it shows the band’s willingness to confront difficult subjects.
“True Love” is a more optimistic song, with a bright melody and a sense of hope. It is a contrast to the darker material around it, and it provides a moment of relief. The song is not particularly complex, but it is effective.
“Where Will We Go” is a reflective track about uncertainty and change. It has a gentle, questioning quality, and it invites the listener to consider their own path. It is a solid entry in the album’s final stretch, and it sets up the themes that follow.
“Beautiful World” is a more upbeat song, with a sense of wonder and gratitude. It is a celebration of the natural world, and it has a joyful energy. The song is one of the more positive tracks on the album, and it provides a nice contrast to the darker material.
Loneliest Boy Through Oldest
“Loneliest Boy” is a sad, lonely song about isolation and despair. It has a mournful quality, and it is a powerful expression of loneliness. The track is one of the more emotionally intense entries in the album, and it shows the band’s range.
“Faker” is a song about deception and dishonesty. It has a cynical edge, and it is a critique of dishonest behavior. The song is not particularly uplifting, but it is honest.
“Happiness” is a song about the pursuit of joy. It has a bright, hopeful melody, and it is a reminder of the value of happiness. The track is a positive entry in the album’s final stretch, and it provides a moment of optimism.
“Oldest” is a song about age and experience. It has a reflective quality, and it deals with the wisdom that comes with time. The track is a thoughtful entry in the album’s final stretch, and it shows the band’s maturity.
Bright Future Through Gift Pleasure Joy
“Bright Future” is a song about hope and possibility. It has a forward-looking quality, and it is a reminder of the potential ahead. The song is one of the more optimistic tracks on the album, and it provides a sense of direction.
“Beautiful Powerful” is a song about strength and confidence. It has a bold, assertive quality, and it is a celebration of inner power. The track is a strong entry in the album’s final stretch, and it shows the band’s resilience.
“Avalanche, Hurricane” is a dramatic, intense track that deals with disaster and chaos. It has a sense of urgency, and it is a powerful expression of destruction. The song is one of the more intense entries in the album, and it shows the band’s ability to create a sense of dread.
“Snail” is a slow, deliberate track that deals with patience and persistence. It has a meditative quality, and it is a reminder of the value of slow progress. The track is a solid entry in the album’s final stretch, and it shows the band’s attention to detail.
“Spatchcock Chickenshit Bingo” is a quirky, unconventional track with a strange title. It has a playful quality, and it is a departure from the more serious material. The song is a fun entry in the album’s final stretch, and it shows the band’s sense of humor.
“Trade Tomorrow” is a song about exchange and sacrifice. It has a sense of pragmatism, and it is a reminder of the cost of compromise. The track is a thoughtful entry in the album’s final stretch, and it shows the band’s practicality.
“6-7-8-9 She’s Fine” is a song about numbers and precision. It has a rhythmic quality, and it is a reminder of the importance of detail. The track is a solid entry in the album’s final stretch, and it shows the band’s attention to detail.
“These Are the Days” is a reflective track about the present moment. It has a sense of appreciation, and it is a reminder of the value of living in the now. The song is a positive entry in the album’s final stretch, and it provides a moment of clarity.
“No Matter What” is a song about determination and resolve. It has a sense of defiance, and it is a reminder of the importance of perseverance. The track is a strong entry in the album’s final stretch, and it shows the band’s strength.
“Born For Loving You” is a romantic track about destiny and fate. It has a sense of inevitability, and it is a reminder of the power of love. The song is a positive entry in the album’s final stretch, and it provides a moment of romance.
“Gift Pleasure Joy” is a song about the joys of life. It has a celebratory quality, and it is a reminder of the value of pleasure. The track is a fitting conclusion to the album, and it provides a sense of fulfillment.
The Verdict
Horsepower is a remarkable achievement. It is a record that balances ambition with intimacy, and it manages to hold together despite its enormous scope. The band’s exploration of country and folk traditions is genuinely compelling, and the songs that critics singled out — “Baby Honey Sweetheart Darlin’,” “Wait a While,” “Space and Time,” “21,” “Casual Touch,” and “Muscle Memory” — are among the best work the band has produced. The album’s weaker stretches are less distinctive, but they do not undermine the record’s strengths.
The album’s critical reception has been strong, with reviewers noting its country and folk influences and its connection to Appalachian folk traditions. One critic described a “little twang” drawing from Appalachian folk, country western, honky-tonk, and Americana, which captures the record’s sonic identity.
“Little twang” drawing from Appalachian folk, country western, honky-tonk, and Americana.
The record is a confident statement from a band at the height of its powers, and it deserves to be heard in full.
- Horsepower
- Baby Honey Sweetheart Darlin'
- Wait a While
- Space and Time
- 21
- Casual Touch
- Muscle Memory
- Highway
- Stay
- Carry
- Sadness as a Gift
- True Love
- Where Will We Go
- Beautiful World
- Loneliest Boy
- Faker
- Happiness
- Oldest
- Bright Future
- Beautiful Powerful
- Avalanche, Hurricane
- Snail
- Spatchcock Chickenshit Bingo
- Trade Tommorow
- 6-7-8-9 She's Fine
- These Are the Days
- No Matter What
- Born For Loving You
- Gift Pleasure Joy
