How did Western Stars differ musically from Bruce Springsteen’s earlier albums?

Released in 2019, Western Stars marked a significant departure from Bruce Springsteen’s previous work, featuring a musical style he had not recorded before. While much of his earlier career is defined by his work as a rock-and-roll bandleader—often characterized by the high-energy, dramatic performances of the E Street Band—Western Stars drew inspiration from the lush, orchestral sounds of early 1970s country music, specifically that of Glen Campbell.12

The album is composed of deeply personal, searching story songs that offer elegant portraits of characters facing the challenges of aging and the realization that their best days may be behind them. This approach contrasts with the more anthemic or socially charged rock-and-roll style found on many of his earlier albums, such as Born to Run or Born in the U.S.A.. Rather than relying on the collaborative, live-studio energy of his band, Springsteen directed a concert film for Western Stars that focused on the intimate, elegiac themes of the record.12