Jason Isbell Explores Heartbreak on Foxes in the Snow

Review by Rob Hinkal

On “Foxes in the Snow” Jason Isbell reminds us once again; just how damn good he is.

To me, true musical storytellers can convey emotion using nothing but the bare minimum. From the blues of the Mississippi Delta region to the musings of a young Bob Dylan, music, and art in general, can reach the deepest into your soul with next to nothing at all.

Armed with nothing but a guitar and his words, Isbell proves this point again and again in less than forty minutes. His weathered voice and the crisp picking of an acoustic guitar beautifully communicate feelings of heartbreak, loneliness, and the levity found in the moments between.  With standout tracks like “Gravelweed”, “Good While It Lasted”, and “Wind Behind the Rain”, “Foxes” stands as a high watermark in the celebrated singer/songwriter’s catalog.

Foxes in the Snow is like a crackling fire on a cold winter’s night. There’s beauty in the pale warmth of the flames. You can still hear the frigid winds outside, but the hearth’s amber glow is just bright enough to give you a moment’s respite.

4 stars out of 5