The Compass Project
The Compass Project is the tenth studio album by Canadian country artist Brett Kissel. It is a four-part box set of albums released in 2023. The first part, South Album was released on January 27, 2023, via Big Star Recordings and ONErpm. The second part, East Album was released on April 28, 2023. The third part, West Album was released on November 3, 2023. The fourth part, North Album was released on December 1, 2023.
| The Compass Project | ||||
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 Cover for the South Album | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | January 27, 2023 (South Album) April 28, 2023 (East Album) November 3, 2023 (West Album) December 1, 2023 (North Album) | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 35:35 (South Album) 35:34 (East Album) 40:25 (West Album) 58:16 (North Album) | |||
| Label |
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| Producer |
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| Brett Kissel chronology | ||||
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| Singles from The Compass Project | ||||
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The Compass Project is the tenth studio album by Canadian country artist Brett Kissel. It is a four-part box set of albums released in 2023.[1] The first part, South Album was released on January 27, 2023, via Big Star Recordings and ONErpm.[2] The second part, East Album was released on April 28, 2023.[3] The third part, West Album was released on November 3, 2023.[4] The fourth part, North Album was released on December 1, 2023.[5]
Background
[edit]After holding desires to record a western-inspired album, an acoustic album, and a live album, Kissel made the decision to record all of these, along with a standard album in one project.[6] The "North Album" is a live album containing live versions of Kissel's previous hits. The "East Album" is an acoustic album that Kissel intends to showcase his singer-songwriter side. The "South Album" is inspired by Nashville and the South, with Kissel noting how its songs are meant to target radio airplay. The "West Album" is intended to be a country and western album, inspired by the time Kissel has spent on his cattle ranch.[7][6] Kissel views each album as a "specific direction" of his "internal compass", which provides fans with a "a 365-degree view" of his life and music, while they also "speak to all of the important sides" of his artistry.[6][8][9] The project totals forty songs overall.[7]
Kissel released promotional singles from each album ahead of their release.[10] Prior to releasing the "South Album", Kissel released the tracks "Ain't the Same", "Our Home", "Watch It", and "Never Have I Ever".[11] He released the tracks "Spend a Little Time With You" and "Nowhere" ahead of the "East Album".[12][13][14] In August 2023, he released "Missin You in San Antone" from the West Album.[15] He followed that up in October 2023, with the song "Deer Blind".[4]
Kissel stated that "Watch It" is his favourite song on the album as it "shares advice and wisdom for every parent to relate to".[6] On the "East" and "West" albums, Kissel is the sole writer on several of the songs, and remarked that he was "nervous" to see how his fans and the music industry reacted to them.[6] He co-wrote the track "Legacy" on the "West Album" with his uncle, which was inspired by the estate fight Kissel had to save his grandfather's ranch in Alberta.[16]
Critical reception
[edit]Chad Huculak of the Edmonton Journal favourably reviewed "South Album", describing it as "precision-polished, with tracks expertly crafted to land on radio stations and playlists". He added that while there "isn't much experimentation or pushing of musical boundaries" on the album, it is nonetheless "some of the best music [Kissel has] produced in his career".[17] Alan Cackett of NEO Music stated that the "South Album" is "certainly full of singalong songs that swim around and around your head hours after you've stopped listening," but framed the album as "passable," adding that it needed more songs like "Line in the Sand" to become an "essential listen".[18] Andrew Ingram of Front Porch Music described the "South Album" as a "fantastic introduction" to the entire project, stating that it is "a showcase of Kissel's songwriting ability and the authentic country sound that his fans have come to love".[19]
James Daykin of Entertainment Focus referred to the "East Album" as "a masterclass of meaning and melody," adding that "harmonies are used sparingly but effectively and there's enough drama and passion to keep you hitting repeat over and over again."[20] An uncredited review from All Country News stated that the "East Album" is "proof that care and creativity go along way," naming "Sanctuary" and "Ten Years from Now" as standout tracks.[21]
Daykin described the "West Album" as "a must-listen for country music enthusiasts, delivering a genuine and immersive experience from start to finish".[22] Huculak favourably reviewed the "West Album", calling it a "straight-forward, traditional country record". He added that the album "hews close to that classic, blue-collar country music that sounds heavenly coming from an AM radio station.[23]
In the 2025 Canadian federal election, Kissel endorsed the Conservative Party of Canada; his song, "Our Home", was the Conservative campaign theme song.[24]
Track listings
[edit]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Never Have I Ever" | 3:04 | |
| 2. | "Watch It" |
| 3:26 |
| 3. | "Ain't the Same" (with 98 Degrees) |
| 3:08 |
| 4. | "That's Just You" |
| 2:56 |
| 5. | "Starts and Ends" |
| 2:33 |
| 6. | "All I Ever Wanted" |
| 3:13 |
| 7. | "First Place" |
| 2:40 |
| 8. | "Standing in the Dark" |
| 3:02 |
| 9. | "Our Home" | Kissel | 3:37 |
| 10. | "Cadillac Ranch" | Bruce Springsteen | 3:42 |
| 11. | "Line in the Sand" | Kissel | 4:10 |
| Total length: | 35:35 | ||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Spend a Little Time With You" | 3:26 | |
| 2. | "Drive" | Kissel | 4:49 |
| 3. | "Nowhere" |
| 3:10 |
| 4. | "When I Get on a Memory" |
| 3:09 |
| 5. | "Coastline" | 4:02 | |
| 6. | "Port Colborne" | Fox | 3:33 |
| 7. | "Ten Years From Now" | Kissel | 2:32 |
| 8. | "Made It" |
| 3:24 |
| 9. | "Meet Me in Vegas" |
| 4:08 |
| 10. | "Sanctuary" (featuring Cecilia Kissel) |
| 3:17 |
| Total length: | 35:30 | ||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Missin' You in San Antone" |
| 3:13 |
| 2. | "Oil and Cattle" (featuring George Canyon, Don Amero, and Brad Johner) | Kissel | 3:42 |
| 3. | "Legacy" |
| 4:23 |
| 4. | "Deer Blind" |
| 3:26 |
| 5. | "Wichita Lineman" | Jimmy Webb | 3:15 |
| 6. | "The Crib Song" |
| 3:18 |
| 7. | "Strait Country" | Kissel | 3:52 |
| 8. | "Black Eyed Susans" |
| 4:20 |
| 9. | "Behind Closed Doors" | Kenny O'Dell | 2:55 |
| 10. | "Queen on the River" |
| 3:22 |
| 11. | "Here's Hoping There'll (Always Be a Cowboy)" | George Fox | 4:35 |
| Total length: | 40:25 | ||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "We Were That Song" (Live) | 3:57 | |
| 2. | "A Few Good Stories" (Live) | 4:46 | |
| 3. | "3-2-1" (Live) |
| 4:23 |
| 4. | "Make a Life, Not a Living" (Live) |
| 4:32 |
| 5. | "Drink About Me" (Live) |
| 6:20 |
| 6. | "Tough People Do" (Live) |
| 4:52 |
| 7. | "I Didn't Fall in Love with Your Hair" (Live) |
| 4:04 |
| 8. | "Cecilia" (Live) |
| 3:20 |
| 9. | "Airwaves" (Live) |
| 3:37 |
| 10. | "Started With a Song" (Live) |
| 4:17 |
| 11. | "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" (Live) | John Martin Sommers | 4:16 |
| 12. | "Anthem" (Live) |
| 4:24 |
| 13. | "She Drives Me Crazy" (Live) |
| 4:22 |
| Total length: | 56:39 | ||
Charts
[edit]Singles
[edit]| Year | Single | Peak chart positions | Certifications | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN Country [28] |
CAN Digital [29] | |||
| 2022 | "Ain't the Same" | 33 | 31 | |
| "Watch It" | 11 | — | ||
| 2023 | "Never Have I Ever" | 22 | — |
|
| "—" denotes a single that did not chart | ||||
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Association | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Juno Awards | Country Album of the Year | The Compass Project - South Album | Nominated | [31] |
| Canadian Country Music Association | Alternative Country Album of the Year | The Compass Project - West Album | Won | [32] | |
| 2025 | Juno Awards | Country Album of the Year | The Compass Project - West Album | Nominated | [33] |
Release history
[edit]| Country | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | January 27, 2023 | Digital download | Big Star Recordings | [34] |
| Streaming | ||||
| Various | Digital download | Brett Kissel | [35] | |
| Streaming |
References
[edit]- ^ Lee, Jason (January 31, 2023). "Brett Kissel: The Compass Project". CJWW Radio. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
- ^ "Future Releases for Country Radio Stations". AllAccess. Archived from the original on January 21, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
- ^ "BRETT KISSEL PLANS TO DROP SECOND INSTALLMENT OF "THE COMPASS PROJECT" "EAST ALBUM" ON APRIL 28, 2023". Music City Memo. March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
- ^ a b Dagg, Nanci (October 23, 2023). "BRETT KISSEL SHARES NEW SINGLE, "DEER BLIND"". Canadian Beats Media. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
- ^ "The Compass Project – North Album (Live) by Brett Kissel". Apple Music. December 1, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Janes, Lesley (January 31, 2023). "Brett Kissel Talks 'The Compass Project'". The Nash News. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
- ^ a b Harris, Preshias (October 31, 2022). "Brett Kissel covers four points of the compass with new project". Country Music News International. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
- ^ Roden, Ally (January 25, 2023). "Brett Kissel Readies First Part Of Four-Part Album, 'The Compass Project'". Music Mayhem Magazine. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
- ^ McPherson, David (March 23, 2023). "BRETT KISSEL'S CRISIS IGNITES NEW PASSION FOR SONGWRITING". Words & Music. SOCAN Magazine. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
- ^ Hollabaugh, Lorie (January 10, 2023). "Brett Kissel To Release Four-Part 'The Compass Project'". Music Row Magazine. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
- ^ Dagg, Nanci (January 12, 2023). "Brett Kissel rings in 2023 with his biggest endeavor yet, The Compass Project, and the release of his latest single "Never Have I Ever"". Canadian Beats Media. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
- ^ "BRETT KISSEL PLANS TO DROP SECOND INSTALLMENT OF "THE COMPASS PROJECT" "EAST ALBUM" ON APRIL 28, 2023". Music City Memo. March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
- ^ Dagg, Nanci (March 28, 2023). "Brett Kissel shares new single, "Spend A Little Time With You"". Canadian Beats Media. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
- ^ "Nowhere – Brett Kissel". Spotify. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
- ^ "Missin You in San Antone – Brett Kissel". Spotify. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
- ^ "EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: BRETT KISSEL DISCUSSES 'SOUTH ALBUM' PROJECT". Music and Tour News. February 7, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
- ^ Huculak, Chad (January 23, 2023). "Fresh Tracks: Brett Kissel finds home, and new directions with The Compass Project". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
- ^ Cackett, Alan (January 2023). "Brett Kissel – The Compass Project: South Album". NEO Music. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
- ^ Ingram, Andrew (February 8, 2023). "Brett Kissel's "South Album": A Review of the Compass Project's First Journey". Front Porch Music. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
- ^ Daykin, James (April 28, 2023). "Brett Kissel – 'Compass Project: East' review". Entertainment Focus. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
- ^ "Brett Kissel Gives Fans A Taste Of A More Personal Side In His New "East Album"". All Country News. April 28, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
- ^ Daykin, James (November 3, 2023). "Brett Kissel – 'The Compass Project: West' album review". Entertainment Focus.
- ^ Huculak, Chad (November 8, 2023). "FRESH TRACKS: Brett Kissel pays tribute to classic country on West Album". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
- ^ https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/poilievre-rallies-tory-troops-edmonton
- ^ "The Compass Project - East Album by Brett Kissel". Apple Music (Canada). Big Star Recordings. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
- ^ "The Compass Project - West Album by Brett Kissel". Apple Music (Canada). Big Star Recordings. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
- ^ "The Compass Project - West Album by Brett Kissel". Apple Music (Canada). Big Star Recordings. December 1, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
- ^ "Brett Kissel Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
- ^ "Brett Kissel Chart History (Hot Canadian Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
- ^ "Canadian certifications – Brett Kissel". Music Canada. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
- ^ "Here are all the 2024 Juno nominees". CBC Music, February 6, 2024.
- ^ "2024 CCMA Award Winners". Canadian Country Music Association. Archived from the original on September 15, 2024. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
- ^ "Junos 2025: full list of winners". CBC Music. March 30, 2025. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
- ^ "The Compass Project – South Album by Brett Kissel". Apple Music. January 27, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
- ^ "The Compass Project – South Album, Album by Brett Kissel". Spotify. January 27, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2023.