Photo: Robby Klein
Gabby Barrett dawned a fresh era with her most autobiographical work yet.
The singer-songwriter’s highly-anticipated sophomore album, Chapter & Verse, has been in the works for three years, and finally arrived on Friday (February 2). Barrett said in a statement as her album made its debut that the project “tells the story of my current chapter of life as a Christian, a mother, a wife, a songwriter and an artist, along with all the little verses that happen in between.”
Barrett, 23, took the reins with creative control unlike any other project before during the making of Chapter & Verse. The Pennsylvania-born songstress co-produced the whole album with co-writing credits on nine of the 14 tracks, teaming up with powerhouse songwriters Hillary Lindsey, Jesse Frasure, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Jon Nite, Ross Copperman and many others. Combs also lends background vocals on the song he wrote with Emily Weisband and James McNair, “Dance Like No One’s Watching.” The sole collaboration on the album features contemporary Christian artist Phil Wickham, spotlighted on the final, a cappella track, “The Verse: Doxology (Amen).” Barrett thoughtfully bookends the heartfelt collection with “The Chapter” and “The Verse,” beginning the album with a bright, soulful outlook and closing it with a calm and peaceful perspective.
“I’m beyond thankful to such a good buddy, [Ross Copperman, whose credits include Dierks Bentley and Kelsea Ballerini] for co-producing it with me and being just an awesome person,” Barrett added in a caption on Instagram, featuring behind-the-scenes glimpses as her album made its debut on Friday morning. “ Another BIG thank you to all the amazing songwriters who helped me write these stories into songs. Go listen and let me know what your favorite is. Enjoy xo.”
1. “The Chapter” (Gabby Barrett, Ross Copperman, Jon Nite, Hillary Lindsey)
2. “Cowboy Back” (Gabby Barrett, Jon Nite, Jesse Frasure)
3. “Dance Like No One’s Watching” (Emily Weisband, James McNair, Luke Combs)
4. “Glory Days” (Gabby Barrett, James McNair, Emily Weisband, Seth Mosley)
5. “Had It All” (Gabby Barrett, Ross Copperman, Jon Nite, Hillary Lindsey)
6. “Hard To Read” (Gabby Barrett, Josh Thompson, Jon Nite)
7. “Growin’ Up Raising You” (Gabby Barrett, Jon Nite, Zach Kale, Jimmy Robbins)
8. “Off The Highway” (Gabby Barrett, James McNair, Emily Weisband, Seth Mosley)
9. “You’re My Texas” (Gabby Barrett, Miranda Lambert, Hillary Lindsey)
10. “Jesus On A Train” (Gabby Barrett, Ross Copperman, Josh Osborne, Shane McAnally)
11. “Grow Apart” (Emily Weisband, Lydia Vaughan, Sam Bergeson)
12. “God, Money & Love” (Lori McKenna, Corey Crowder, Phil Barton)
13. “All Of My Life” (Jon Nite, Jordan Reynolds, Josh Miller)
14. “The Verse: Doxology (Amen) (Feat. Phil Wickham)” (Phil Wickham, Thomas Ken, Louis Bourgeois)
Barrett previously shared sneak peeks of her sophomore chapter by releasing a few of the tracks before the full Chapter & Verse album, including “Cowboy Back” and “You’re My Texas,” the song she wrote with Lambert and Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Lindsey. Barrett previously said in a statement shared by her record label: “When I think of Texas, I think of my husband and raising our babies in this beautiful state that we’re proud to call home. It was my first time really meeting Miranda while writing this song, and I’m thankful that we could bond over our love for Texas. I always enjoy writing with Hillary too, so it was a great group of ladies to be in the room with. This one just fell out naturally, and I love everything about it.”
Barrett began teasing Chapter & Verse with “Glory Days,” cherishing heartwarming moments with her growing family, and “Growin’ Up Raising You,” a sweet snapshot of her life as a young mother. Barrett and her husband, Texas native Cade Foehner, 28, tied the knot in 2019 after meeting on American Idol the previous year. They welcomed their firstborn child, daughter Baylah May, in January 2021, and they welcomed son Augustine Boone in October 2022. Barrett, pregnant with Baby No. 3, said earlier this week that “my baby will be here any second now.” That's why Barrett was unable to attend her immersive Chapter & Verse experience in Downtown Nashville, Tennessee, which remains open to the public from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, with an album listening event from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
“I’m only 23 – I don’t have all the answers to everything, and I haven’t gotten everything figured out,” Barrett previously said as she opened up about writing “Growin’ Up Raising You,” about her life as a young mother. “I’m doing the best that I can while trying to raise other people to be the best people they can be. I feel so blessed to be able to have three little lives that I can help to flourish while I’m also trying to figure out life myself.”
Barrett also offers a glimpse into her cherished family life and marriage on tracks like “Grow Apart,” embracing lasting romances and growth through life: “It’s about not being afraid to grow old and go through all the different layers of life. Staying together and staying as a unit and a team is so important, and I definitely see myself growing old with my husband.”
Chapter & Verse is Barrett’s long-awaited follow-up to her debut album, Goldmine, which released in 2020. The American Idol alum expanded Goldmine with a deluxe edition in 2021. The 17-track collection included “I Hope” — and a duet version with Charlie Puth — “Footprints On The Moon,” “The Good Ones” — which she reimagined as a wedding version on the deluxe album — George Strait-inspired “Pick Me Up” and other highlights.
Find the full Chapter & Verse album on iHeartRadio here, and listen to some of the tracks below.