Orpheus Descending is the twenty-fifth studio album by American rock singer-songwriter John Mellencamp, released on June 16, 2023 by Republic Records.

[3] In American Songwriter, Lee Zimmerman rated this album 4.5 out of 5 stars, calling it "one of [Mellencamp's] most outspoken efforts in recent years but one of his most inspiring as well" for balancing political activism and hope.

[4] Writing for Louder Sound, Philip Wilding gave this release 3.5 out of 5 stars, for combining "deft storytelling" in the lyrics with the "elegant weariness" of Mellencamp's vocals.

[6] Editors at Spin named Orpheus Descending one of the best albums of 2023, writing, "John is in his Bob Dylan, cherished-American-treasure moment now, and could coast on that if he wanted.

His voice is deeper and thinner than it was for those records, but the gravelly sound of his singing gives the songs, especially “The Eyes of Portland” and “Hey God,” a perfect weight.