Review: Melissa Etheridge – Rise

Melissa Etheridge – Rise
Format: CD – Vinyl LP – Digital / Label: Sun Records
Release: 2026

Text: Martien Koolen

‘Rise,’ Melissa Etheridge’s 17th studio album – the first one in five years’ time – is maybe her most personal album so far. Of course, we all know that Etheridge is an exceptionally talented song writer and she does not sound like anyone else on this planet, but ‘Rise’ is really a masterful and wonderful album indeed.

‘Rise’ features eleven tracks (four of which were pre-released as singles) and the songs are a beautiful mix of heartfelt ballads, rockers, and mid-tempo “country”-like tracks, displaying a really emotionally intense album indeed.

‘Rise’ kicks off with the smooth rocker Bein’ Alive, followed by Matches, a very emotional song indeed, while the title track is probably one of the best songs of the entire album. Don’t Want You Want A Woman, the lead single of this album, is another highlight with excellent, almost raw vocals by Etheridge.

To Be A Woman might become the perfect anthem for women, while Call You and More Love stand out due to the melancholic and heartfelt lyrics. The Other Side Of Blue is a duet with no one less than Chris Stapleton (American singer/songwriter and guitarist), although that one is maybe a bit too sweet for me…

Overall, ‘Rise’ is a wonderful album, with Etheridge at her musical peak indeed.

Tracks:
01. Bein’ Alive
02. Matches
03. Rise
04. Don’t You Want A Woman
05. The Other Side Of Blue (feat. Chris Stapleton)
06. If You Ever Leave Me
07. Davina
08. To Be A Woman
09. Tomboy
10. Call You
11. More Love

Website: https://melissaetheridge.com/