"Plenty has changed for Doug Paisley since his 2014 album Strong Feelings. He’s a family man now, which prompted him to take a break from touring and recording—though not, it seems, from writing. Which brings us to one thing that hasn’t changed: the Toronto singer’s gift for spellbinding subtlety on songs that take quiet hold of your heart and refuse to let go.
Paisley’s tunes are understated enough that they stick in your head without you even noticing, until you’re going about your day and humming one of his melodies and wondering how it got there. He takes a minimalist approach to the nine songs on Starter Home, focusing mostly on acoustic guitar and his warm, slightly rumpled voice. There are adornments here and there from violin, keyboards and steel guitar, which add texture and atmosphere to songs that seem unassuming until you listen closely enough to hear just how devastating they are...." - Paste