Orville Peck released Mule, a 13-song album that chronicles his year of addiction, loss, and recovery and closes with the title track Mule. Tinnitist reports the record follows a linear arc through 2023, beginning after a breakup and tracing episodes of drinking, partying, rehab and a downtown New York rock bottom on songs such as Big 'Ol House, Rehab Blues, Ring The Bell and The Fall. Reviewers note Mule incorporates bluegrass and alt-country textures while showcasing more intimate, confessional songwriting than Peck's earlier work; the review calls it his fourth album and praises its melodies and layered vocals on tracks like War Of The Worlds. Peck explains the album title by comparing himself to a mule, calling the animal resilient, stubborn and trapped between worlds. Coverage and fan posts note Mule arrived amid a crowded New Music Friday and ahead of live dates, with riffmagazine reporting a scheduled show at Edgefield Troutdale near Portland on September 23.
