The Blade (Ashley Monroe album)

The Blade is the third studio album by American country music artist Ashley Monroe. It was released on July 24, 2015, through Warner Bros. Records. The album was produced by Vince Gill and Justin Niebank.

The Blade garnered critical acclaim for its songwriting, Monroe's vocal performance, and its traditional country sound, often drawing comparisons to classic country artists like Tammy Wynette and Dolly Parton. The album explores themes of heartbreak, loss, and resilience through personal storytelling.

The album features the singles "On to Something Good" and "Bombshell," although neither achieved significant commercial success. Despite the lack of mainstream radio play, The Blade peaked at number two on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and number thirteen on the Billboard 200. It received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Country Album at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards.

The album's track listing includes songs co-written by Monroe, as well as collaborations with other songwriters such as Matraca Berg and Waylon Payne. Several tracks, including the title track, "The Blade," are regarded as highlights due to their lyrical depth and emotional impact.

Following its release, The Blade was consistently featured on year-end best-of lists from various music publications, solidifying its reputation as a critically acclaimed and artistically significant work in contemporary country music.