Undergoing major changes in life is difficult, even if they’re welcomed ones.
A new husband and father, Nashville-based singer-songwriter Ben Chapman seems to be doing just fine in that regard, clearly grateful for his growing family. In his new album Feet On Fire, though, Chapman sheds light on the aspects of such a change that aren’t quite as obvious.
The project exists as an internal dialogue that acknowledges the beauty of love and building a family through songs like “Baby Blue,” yet grapples with a lingering restlessness tied to the life of a musician on the move. As a result, he impressively captures a strange tension between settling down and still feeling like you’re in motion—something Chapman leans into heavily in the title track “Feet On Fire,” as well as “Everything’s Different,” where restlessness and emotional contradiction run rampant. An introspective call to appreciate the present in a world and industry that constantly pushes you to think about what’s next, the lyrics function almost as a diary for Chapman as he navigates this new chapter in his life and considers the contradictory emotions that come with the territory.
Collaborating with a strong list of co-writers like his wife Meg McRee and producer Anderson East, to name a couple, Chapman brings these sentiments to life through imagery-filled lyricism and clever metaphors. And while each song on its own may not be clearly tied to the next, the context surrounding this album makes for a cohesive tracklist.
Largely set in the present tense with anecdotal references to past experiences sprinkled throughout, the 12-track project weaves seamlessly through restless reflections and heartfelt love songs like “You Say Jump” and “Takes a Dreamer,” balancing moments of lighthearted romance with the uneasiness brought about by uncertainty and change. That said, a few more whimsical tracks like “All Day,” “Out in the Country,” and “Lucy” lighten the mood at times and shine a light on an aspect of Chapman’s music that is equally as important as his top-tier songwriting: his one-of-a-kind sound.
Landing sonically in a sweet spot somewhere between Marcus King, Daniel Donato, Jason Isbell, and Brent Cobb, Chapman is carving out a lane with a blistering, guitar-driven blend of country, blues, funk, and jam-heavy rock & roll. These traits are apparent throughout his catalog, and Feet On Fire is no exception.
In fact, this album finds Chapman at what may be his peak, both sonically and lyrically, and positions itself as a potential breakthrough moment in his career. I could sit here and ramble on and on about it, but the proof is in the music.
Here’s a few early favorites:
“Out in the Country”
“Takes a Dreamer”
“Lucy”
“Sweetheart (Ain’t It Hard)”
Just a killer record in all aspects. If you like what you heard, you need to get out and here Ben Chapman and his band live. Check out their tour dates below:
2026 Tour Dates
May 22 – Maryville, TN – The Shed
May 27 – Birmingham, AL – Canteen
May 28 – Mobile, AL – Soul Kitchen
May 29 – Macon, GA – Grant’s Lounge
May 30 – Bluffton, SC – Palmetto Bluff
May 31 – Columbia, SC – Songbird Festival 2026 *
June 3 – Nashville, TN – Peach Jam @ The Basement East
June 5 – Buchanan, TN – Breakers Marina
June 6 – Chattanooga, TN – Barrelhouse Ballroom
June 18 – Seymour, IN – Seymour City Jam *
June 25 – Layton, UT – Edward Kenley Amphitheatre %
June 26 – Castle Rock, CO – Philip Miller Amphitheatre
July 9 – Clinton, WI – Boxcars Pub & Grub
July 10 – Lake Orion, MI – 20 Front Street
July 11 – Cadillac, MI – Coyote Crossings
July 24 – Folsom, CA – Folsom Saloon
July 25 – San Francisco, CA – Brick & Mortar
July 30 – Boise, ID – Shrine Social Club
July 31 – Tacoma, WA – Steel Creek
August 1 & 2 – Happy Valley, OR – Pickathon 2026 *
August 5 – Denver, CO – Globe Hall
August 6 – Omaha, NE – Reverb Lounge
August 7 – Hobart, IN – The Hobart Art Theater
August 8 – Bartlett, IL – Smoke & Irons Music Fest *
August 14 – Columbus, OH – Woodlands Tavern
August 15 – Hamilton, OH – RiversEdge Amphitheatre
September 2 – Nashville, TN – Peach Jam @ The Basement East
September 25 – Louisville, KY – Bourbon And Beyond *
September 26 – St. Louis, MO – Duck Room
September 30 – Minneapolis, MN – 7th Street
October 1 – Davenport, IA – Raccoon Motel
October 2 – Appleton, WI – Appleton Music Hall
October 10 – Whitleyville, TN – North Springs Music Festival *
October 11 – Decatur, AL – Princess Theatre
October 12 – Greenville, SC – Radio Room
December 9 – Nashville, TN – Peach Jam @ The Basement East
* – Festival
^ – supporting Blackberry Smoke
% – supporting The Marshall Tucker Band
