Anne Wilson: A Panoramic Portrait of Faith and Country on the Defining Album ‘Stars’
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
Artist Information: The Crossover Trailblazer
Anne Wilson, a Grammy-nominated Christian and Country singer from Lexington, Kentucky, has quickly become a defining voice in modern genre-blending music. Known for her powerful, transcendent vocal delivery and down-to-earth storytelling, Wilson’s career took an unexpected turn following the tragic death of her older brother, Jacob, in 2017, which reaffirmed her faith and led her to pursue music. After achieving massive success with her Christian debut, My Jesus (2022), and pushing into the mainstream Country sphere with REBEL (2024), Wilson has cemented herself as a crossover sensation. Her music unapologetically mixes the authentic grit of country narratives with the soaring hope of her faith, earning her accolades like Spotify Hot Country Artist to Watch and CMT’s Next Women of Country. Stars completes the opening trilogy of her career, presenting her most personal and mature work to date.
Album Review: Stars
Anne Wilson’s third studio album, Stars, is a masterful culmination of her journey, successfully blending the raw emotion of country storytelling with the unwavering light of her Christian faith. Across its 12 tracks, the album functions as a coming-of-age collection, reconciling themes of grief, surrender, and the surprising way God’s plan often redirects personal dreams. Co-written entirely by Wilson and produced primarily by Jeff Pardo, the record shines with an intimate vulnerability and showcases her impressive vocal strength, cementing her position as a unique, influential voice at the intersection of two major genres.
Track-by-Track Breakdown
| Track | Title | Review |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stars | The title track and effective opener. Inspired by her childhood dream of being an astronaut, it uses the metaphor of the night sky to explore wonder, curiosity, and the redirection of personal ambition by divine hands. It sets a beautifully reflective, piano-led tone. |
| 2 | God Story | An anthemic, soaring track currently climbing the Christian radio charts. It serves as a declarative testament, celebrating a personal journey of redemption: “From death to life, from blind to sight, this is my God story.” Musically uplifting and powerful. |
| 3 | ‘Til The Road Runs Out | A faith-fueled promise of devotion and perseverance. This track has a strong country backbone, driven by acoustic guitar, embodying the idea of holding onto faith and loved ones until the very end. |
| 4 | Devil Is Too | A cautionary tale delivered with a clever, tongue-in-cheek country edge. It advises listeners, particularly young women, to be discerning in relationships, emphasizing that even the “devil is too” charming, urging them to keep their standards high. |
| 5 | Hold Your Horses | A lighthearted, fun singalong with classic country rhythm and instrumentation. It’s a relatable track about guarding your heart and the struggle for patience while waiting for the right path or person. |
| 6 | Jesus On The Radio | A back-roads anthem that perfectly fuses faith with everyday life. This song is built for driving with the windows down, celebrating the simple joy of hearing an encouraging message while living life out in the country. |
| 7 | Dead In The Water | A stirring narrative of redemption. Channeling a powerful, Carrie Underwood-esque vocal delivery, this track tells the well-crafted story of someone who finds freedom and faith after hitting rock bottom, feeling “dead in the water.” |
| 8 | Carry Me | An emotional, unguarded ballad and one of the album’s finest moments. It revisits the vulnerability seen on earlier tracks, expressing a deep, raw longing for comfort and innocence, asking for strength when struggling with silent grief. |
| 9 | The Carpenter | A heartfelt, porch-front hymn dedicated to legacy and redemption. This track honors the lasting influence of hard work, family tradition, and the foundational role of faith in building a life. |
| 10 | Those People | An empowering anthem encouraging inclusivity and support within the faith community. It reminds listeners that God’s love extends to everyone, especially “those people” who feel lost or overlooked. |
| 11 | Still Do | A reflective song that addresses doubt and quiet resolve. It captures the tension of wrestling with life’s hardest questions while confirming that, despite the struggles, she “still does” believe. |
| 12 | Twenty Three | A deeply personal, bittersweet tribute to her late brother, Jacob, who passed away at 23. It’s a poignant marker in her journey through loss and the realization that she has now lived longer than him, closing the album on a raw, emotional note. |
Verdict
Stars is a significant achievement for Anne Wilson. It is a coming-of-age record that is both autobiographical and universally relatable, demonstrating that Wilson can craft a cohesive, highly polished collection that serves two distinct audiences—Country and Christian—without compromising the authenticity of either. The production is excellent, giving the songs a dynamic polish, but the true standout is Wilson’s lyricism and vocal conviction, particularly on introspective tracks like “Carry Me” and “Twenty Three.” This album firmly establishes Anne Wilson as a necessary and mature storyteller for her generation.