"Amerikaneren, der tidligere var medlem af bandet Drive By Truckers, er i bedste forstand formet af utallige dygtige amerikanske sangskriveres fortælleteknikker. Samtidig har han en solid sangstemme med toner af vemod og respekt, og så har han formået at gøre det nye album til et varieret miks af noget introvert og udadvendt, hvilket kommer til udtryk på vekselvirkende "Children Of Children". Den begynder underspillet, men får efterhånden stadig mere muskelkraft"

"Vurdering: B+" - "Though more uplifting than Southeastern, Isbell's fifth solo LP clearly isn't exactly blissful and blithe; there's plenty of heartache and loneliness lurking behind 400 Unit's boisterous bursts. Lead single "24 Frames" contrasts jaunty, searing electric guitars and a throbbing bass line with cynical lyrics. With gravelly undertones of sorrow and regret, Isbell sings, "You thought God was an architect, now you know/ He's something like a pipe bomb ready to blow." Fear of growing alienated from our loved ones acts as the anchor for "Flagship", and "Speed Trap Town" describes a dying father with piercing poignancy ("How long can they keep you in the ICU?/ Veins through the skin like a faded tattoo"). Navigating between crestfallen country ballads and rollicking rockers, Something More Than Free showcases Isbell's musical diversity without sacrificing a pinch of lyrical precision"