Dierks Bentley Broken Branches Review: Safe Country Comforts
Dierks Bentley returns with “Broken Branches,” his eleventh studio album, delivering a familiar dose of country rock comfort. The new album dives deep into well-trodden themes of heartbreak, religion, and the solace of simple pleasures against the backdrop of country music. Our review unpacks Bentley’s latest effort, exploring both its strengths and its moments of predictability. Featuring collaborations like John Anderson, riley Green, and Stephen Wilson Jr., “Broken Branches” offers a blend of known sounds. News Directory 3 has the inside scoop. Dose the formula still work? How does “Jesus Loves Me” measure up? Discover what’s next in Bentley’s musical journey.
Dierks Bentley Delivers Familiar Country Rock with “Broken Branches”
Updated June 14, 2025
Dierks Bentley, a prominent Nashville figure, has released his eleventh studio album, “Broken Branches.” The album explores well-known country rock territory, touching on themes of heartbreak and the solace found in trucks and cold beer. This new album provides a familiar sound for fans of country music.
Bentley’s latest effort features 11 tracks of what some might call country rock radio filler.The album’s roadmap is predictable, yet Bentley delivers dependable songs with polished edges. Thematically, many tracks allude to internal struggles, offering listeners an escape. The album is a solid addition to the country music scene.
In “Jesus Loves Me,” Bentley sings of finding religion while losing a woman. “Thoght maybe if I hit my knees / she’d think about hitting the brakes,” he sings, finding a sliver of solace: “Yeah, Jesus loves me / But she don’t.” The song showcases the album’s exploration of personal themes within a country framework.
The title track, “Broken Branches,” features John Anderson and Riley Green. While ostensibly an energetic drinking song about family, lyrics like “We shoulda gone to college / Coulda gained a little knowledge” feel somewhat underwhelming. The song is an example of the album’s blend of familiar themes and collaborations.
Bentley excels at delivering what his fans expect: tales of a tough exterior with a fragile heart. Though, this familiarity can border on derivative. The album’s strength lies in its ability to meet the expectations of modern country music fans.
The opening track, “Cold beer Can,” features Stephen Wilson Jr. and stands out with its instrumentation and chorus, highlighting Wilson Jr.’s vocal and guitar skills. The song captures the essence of the album’s themes: life’s moments shared over a cold beer.This collaboration is a highlight of Bentley’s new country rock album.