Brandi Carlile Albums Ranked: Fan Favorites (2025)

Brandi Carlile's music is a journey of powerful vocals and profound storytelling. Her discography is a rich collection of songs that feel both intensely personal and universally understood.

Trying to rank her albums is a challenging task. Each one holds a special place for different listeners. That’s why we’re turning to the fans to guide this conversation.

This list of Brandi Carlile albums ranked is based primarily on fan sentiment. It reflects the records that have resonated most deeply within the community.

We'll also see how this compares to current popularity data to get a full picture of what might be the best Brandi Carlile albums.

Ranking Brandi Carlile's albums: The fan favorites

Here's how the albums stack up based on fan sentiment, community discussions, and overall buzz.

We're starting with the most beloved.

1. By the Way, I Forgive You (2018)

Released in 2018, this album marked a major milestone in Brandi Carlile's career. It earned widespread critical acclaim and significant recognition at major award shows.

The record was noted for spanning multiple genres, including folk rock, Americana, and classic rock. It ultimately solidified her position as a powerhouse singer-songwriter.

At the 61st Annual Grammy Awards, Carlile was the most nominated woman, with six nominations tied to this album and its single "The Joke."

Key tracks:

• The Joke
• Every Time I Hear That Song

Topping the fan-voted list, By the Way, I Forgive You is often seen as Carlile's magnum opus. It's an album of immense grace, power, and vulnerability.

Listeners consistently point to the masterful songwriting and Carlile's breathtaking vocal performances as reasons for its top-tier status.

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2. The Story (2007)

This is the album that brought Brandi Carlile to a much wider audience. Released in 2007, The Story was produced by the legendary T Bone Burnett.

The recording process was famously brief, captured over just eleven days to preserve the raw energy of Carlile's live performances.

The title track became a massive hit, thanks in part to its feature in TV shows like Grey's Anatomy and various commercials, which boosted the album's profile significantly.

Key tracks:

• The Story
• Turpentine

Holding the number two spot, The Story is an undeniable fan favorite. For many, this was their introduction to Brandi Carlile.

Its blend of heart-wrenching ballads and energetic rock anthems created an iconic record that remains a cornerstone of her discography.

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3. The Highwomen (2019)

In 2019, Brandi Carlile formed the country music supergroup The Highwomen alongside Amanda Shires, Maren Morris, and Natalie Hemby.

Their self-titled debut album was met with critical acclaim and commercial success. It showcased the immense talent of all four artists coming together.

The project won a Grammy Award for Best Country Song for the track "Crowded Table," a testament to its powerful songwriting and collaborative spirit.

Key tracks:

• Highwomen
• Crowded Table

While a group effort, fans clearly hold The Highwomen in high regard. Carlile's contributions are a vital part of the album's identity.

The project's message of empowerment and its flawless execution make it a standout release connected to her catalog.

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4. In These Silent Days (2021)

Carlile's seventh studio album arrived in 2021. The critically acclaimed record was written while she was in quarantine during the early days of the pandemic.

Produced by Dave Cobb and Shooter Jennings, the album received a remarkable seven Grammy nominations in 2023. It took home the awards for Best Americana Album, Best Rock Performance, and Best Rock Song.

The album debuted at number 11 on the Billboard 200 and topped the Rock and Americana charts.

Key tracks:

• You and Me On The Rock (feat. Lucius)
• This Time Tomorrow

Fans have embraced In These Silent Days for its quiet confidence and introspection. It feels like the work of an artist at the peak of her powers.

Its high placement reflects an appreciation for Carlile's continued evolution as a songwriter and performer.

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5. Bear Creek (2012)

Named after the studio where it was largely recorded, Bear Creek was released in 2012. The album was produced by Trina Shoemaker.

This fourth studio album became Carlile's first to break into the top ten on the US Billboard 200 chart. It showcased her continued growth and versatility.

Key tracks:

• Heart's Content
• Raise Hell

Bear Creek sits comfortably in the middle of the fan ranking. It's a solid and well-loved entry in her discography.

Fans often praise its mix of heartfelt folk and more raucous, country-leaning tracks, showing a playful side of her artistry.

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6. Returning To Myself (2025)

Released in late 2025, Returning To Myself is Carlile's eighth studio album. It was announced with the release of the title track as the lead single.

The project was recorded with notable producers like Andrew Watt and Aaron Dessner. Inspiration for the album was drawn from Emmylou Harris's iconic 1995 album, Wrecking Ball.

Key tracks:

• Human
• Returning To Myself

This album's position in the ranking is based purely on anticipation and the strength of its lead singles.

The excitement surrounding a new solo project from Brandi Carlile shows just how dedicated her fanbase is.

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7. Give Up The Ghost (2009)

Following her major breakthrough, Carlile released Give Up The Ghost in 2009. The album was produced by another legend, Rick Rubin.

It featured notable collaborations, including a duet with Elton John on the song "Caroline." The album debuted at number 26 on the Billboard 200.

This record continued to build on her folk-rock foundation while exploring new sonic textures.

Key tracks:

• Dreams
• That Year

Though it ranks lower on this list, Give Up The Ghost is considered by many to be an underrated gem.

It's a more subdued and introspective album compared to its predecessor, which may be why it connects with a specific segment of her audience more than the broader fanbase.

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8. Brandi Carlile (2005)

This is where it all began. Carlile's self-titled debut album was released in 2005 and immediately garnered critical acclaim.

She was featured on Rolling Stone's "10 Artists to Watch in 2005" list, signaling the arrival of a major new talent.

The album introduced the core trio of Carlile and the Hanseroth twins, who have been the foundation of her band ever since.

Key tracks:

• What Can I Say
• Closer to You

While it may rank lower for fans today, her debut album is an essential starting point. It lays the groundwork for everything that was to come.

Listeners can hear the raw talent and promise that would be fully realized on subsequent albums.

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9. Who Believes In Angels? (2025)

Who Believes In Angels? is a collaborative studio album with music icon Elton John, released in 2025.

Produced by Andrew Watt, the album was recorded in Los Angeles and builds on their previous collaborations. The two artists worked from scratch to create the entire record in just 20 days.

The album debuted at number one on the charts in the United Kingdom and reached the top ten in the United States.

Key tracks:

• Swing For The Fences
• You Without Me

As a collaborative project with a living legend, this album is a monumental achievement.

Its placement at the bottom of the fan ranking likely reflects its status as a brand new release, and perhaps a preference for Carlile's solo work among her core fanbase.

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Picked your top Brandi Carlile classic? Check out Brandi Carlile's discography on their Roll The Record Artist hub.

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Brandi Carlile albums: A look at popularity data

While fan sentiment paints a rich picture, current popularity data can offer another interesting angle.

This looks at an artist's discography through a different lens.

Below is a ranking of Brandi Carlile's albums based on their popularity scores from available data. This reflects which releases are currently seeing significant engagement.

Popularity Rank	Album Title	Release Year
1	The Story	2007
2	By the Way, I Forgive You	2018
3	The Highwomen	2019
4	In These Silent Days	2021
5	Bear Creek	2012
6	Returning To Myself	2025
7	Who Believes In Angels?	2025
8	Give Up The Ghost	2009
9	Brandi Carlile	2005

Quick FAQs about Brandi Carlile's albums

Q: Was By the Way, I Forgive You a successful album?

A: Yes, it was highly successful. The album received six Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year, making Brandi Carlile the most nominated woman at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.

Q: How did Brandi Carlile and her band create the unique sound on The Story?

A: Producer T Bone Burnett recorded the album in a quick 11-day session. This method was used to capture the raw, intense energy of the band's live performances, including the famous vocal crack in the title track.

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So there you have it – a deep look at Brandi Carlile's albums ranked by the fans who know them best.

From critical darlings to breakthrough hits, each record plays a vital role in her musical story. The data shows which albums are currently in heavy rotation, but fan sentiment tells us which ones have truly lasted.

Ultimately, the best Brandi Carlile album is the one that speaks to you. What does your personal ranking look like? Let us know which album is your number one below!