The Unbridled Spirit: Brett Kissel’s ‘Let Your Horses Run (Deluxe)’ Roars with Confession, Collaboration, and Country Heart
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
Brett Kissel stands as one of Canadian country music’s most reliable and dynamic exports, a true showman whose music blends deep-rooted Western values with Nashville’s contemporary sonic sheen. The release of LET YOUR HORSES RUN (DELUXE) is more than just a collection of songs; it’s a panoramic view of an artist at the peak of his power, balancing high-energy anthems with raw, emotional ballads. This deluxe edition takes the original, acclaimed album and expands it into an exhaustive statement, featuring key collaborations, intimate acoustic cuts, and unexpected remixes that showcase the versatility of his songwriting.
The Artist: Brett Kissel’s Country Renaissance
Hailing from Flat Lake, Alberta, Brett Kissel brings a genuine sense of history and hard work to his music. He has often been lauded for bridging the gap between traditional storytelling and modern production, a style that allows him to appeal to both classic country purists and the streaming generation. Kissel’s signature is his magnetic vocal delivery—warm, robust, and capable of both sensitive vulnerability and arena-rock energy. This album, in particular, finds him exploring themes of persistence, personal identity, romantic commitment, and the quiet dignity of the cowboy life, using his personal journey as the bedrock for universal truths.
Track-by-Track Deep Dive
The Core Album (Tracks 1-11)
1. Cowboys & Dreamers: The album opens with a defining statement. This track is pure, cinematic country rock, driven by anthemic guitar riffs and a relentless rhythm section. Lyrically, it sets the tone for the entire record: a celebration of those who pursue big ambitions while honoring their roots. Kissel’s delivery here is commanding, establishing him immediately as the narrator of this rugged landscape.
2. Let Your Horses Run: The title track is the album’s emotional and thematic centerpiece. It’s a powerful mid-tempo ballad about living life without reservation, forgiving the past, and embracing freedom. The production is rich, utilizing soaring string arrangements and a massive, echoing drum sound that feels built for stadiums. It’s a song about release, making it incredibly resonant as the album’s guiding philosophy.
3. Get The Hell Out Of This Town ft. Don Louis: A standout collaboration that injects a welcome dose of grit and blues into the mix. This is a classic road song about escaping stagnation and broken promises. Don Louis’s contribution adds a soulful, rough edge that contrasts perfectly with Kissel’s smoother delivery, resulting in a dynamic duet that feels authentic to the story’s desperation.
4. Another One: A lighter, more playful track, “Another One” is a catchy, feel-good number about celebrating life’s simple pleasures, often found at the bottom of a drink. It’s built on a steady, driving rhythm and a sing-along chorus, proving Kissel still knows how to craft an essential party track without sacrificing melody.
5. Nowhere To Ride: This ballad offers a moment of reflection and a classic country theme: feeling lost and anchorless. The melody is melancholic, supported by mournful steel guitar. Kissel uses the imagery of an empty saddle to represent heartbreak, a powerful visual connection to his Western roots that grounds the song in sincerity.
6. Two Of Us ft. Cooper Alan: A high-energy, fun collaboration that’s pure, modern bro-country flair. It’s lighthearted and focused on the simple joys of a shared experience. The production is sharp and crisp, leaning heavily into pop country’s celebratory side, making it an instant crowd-pleaser and a testament to the artists’ chemistry.
7. Hurtin’ Songs: This track is a love letter to the healing power of country music itself. Kissel sings about turning to the genre’s great ballads when dealing with heartache. Musically, it’s a tight, traditional arrangement with a slight modern edge, demonstrating his deep respect for the genre’s history. It’s self-referential and deeply sincere.
8. Rich Is ft. Phil Vassar: A wonderful moment of artistic conversation. This song explores the idea that true wealth is measured in moments, family, and gratitude, not money. Phil Vassar, a legendary writer, complements Kissel’s vocals perfectly, lending a gravelly, seasoned wisdom to the theme. It’s a warm, acoustic-leaning track that acts as the album’s moral center.
9. Close To You: A tender, mid-tempo love song that showcases Kissel’s sensitive side. The production is clean, giving space for the lyrics—focused on the comfort and quiet safety found in commitment—to breathe. It’s romantically mature, avoiding clichés with earnest, direct language.
10. All This Cowboy Needs ft. Morgan Klaiber: This track returns to Kissel’s foundational identity. It’s a romantic ode using cowboy metaphors, featuring a beautiful vocal blend with Morgan Klaiber. Her harmonies are soft and ethereal, contrasting beautifully with Kissel’s warm baritone, lending a dreamy quality to this declaration of love and simple living.
11. Heart To Forget: Closing the main album, this is a strong emotional track about the struggle of moving on from a deeply etched memory. It’s layered with emotion, featuring big, powerful guitars in the final chorus, conveying the effort required to let go of the past.
Deluxe Additions & Transformations (Tracks 12-16)
12. Hurtin’ Songs (Brett Kissel and Dierks Bentley): This re-recording elevates the original concept. The addition of Dierks Bentley, a veteran voice known for his own deep cuts, validates the song’s premise. Their voices harmonize on the chorus with a shared reverence for the subject matter, turning the song into an even more powerful CCM (Country Classic Music) manifesto.
13. Let Your Horses Run (Mezcal Club Mix): A startling, yet intriguing transformation. This remix strips away the country elements in favor of a moody, deep-house aesthetic. The rhythm is heavily electronic, and Kissel’s vocals are layered with reverb and echo, proving the central melody is strong enough to cross genre lines, making it perfect for late-night, atmospheric listening.
14. Let Your Horses Run (Acoustic Mix): This version reveals the song’s raw, emotional blueprint. With just acoustic guitar and Kissel’s voice, the lyrics gain new weight and intimacy. Stripped of the orchestral majesty, the focus shifts entirely to the personal plea for freedom and grace. This mix is essential for appreciating the quality of the songwriting.
15. Two Of Us (Margarita Mix): Taking the party track and amplifying its tropical feel, the “Margarita Mix” adds island percussion, steel drums, and a sun-soaked vibe. It’s a pure feel-good injection designed specifically for summer playlists and casual hangs, leaning into the escapism hinted at in the original.
16. Another One (Neat Mix): The “Neat Mix” is the sonic opposite of the “Margarita Mix”—it’s an elegant, simplified version. It likely focuses on piano and subtle strings, taking the party theme and delivering it with a sophisticated, low-key charm. It feels like the song you hear in a dimly lit jazz bar, rather than a crowded tailgate, highlighting the song’s underlying vocal melody and structure.
Conclusion
LET YOUR HORSES RUN (DELUXE) is a comprehensive and highly satisfying body of work. Brett Kissel successfully navigates the complex demands of modern country, delivering arena-sized anthems, introspective ballads, and thoughtful collaborations that speak to his versatility. By including the acoustic takes and remixes, he not only offers value to the listener but also demonstrates the robustness of his compositions. This album is a testament to an artist running free, fully in command of his voice, his stories, and his musical direction.