Boots are Back
The country comeback: a year of Cowboy Carter, Post Malone in his Western Era, Morgan Wallen post-cancellation era, and slay boots vibes all around - we’re seeing a bigger comeback than we have since Luke Bryan was dominating the charts for all of us mid 2010’s high schoolers. Since the influx of big-name hip-hop and RnB singers turned-country over the years, including Beyonce and Lil Nas X, to all-Black country girl group Chapel Hart achieving viral fame after appearance on AGT, to smaller-scale indie artists like Eliza McLamb getting ready to debut her upcoming country album - one thing is clear - country is back, baby.
For those of us who were once middle school horse girls, this comeback rings near and dear to our hearts. For those who associated country music strictly with conservative-laced messaging and a “buck up, boy!” attitude, this twist in publication has become a nice reminder that nothing falls under a one-size-fits-all mold, especially when it comes to music and artist expression. Rather, the masses' eyes are getting opened to the fun and ease that is interlaced with country lyrics and instruments. The jumpy beats, violins and banjos complimenting the snare and guitar, and ease of falling into a line-dancing group at a bar and feeling hips instantly begin to follow eloquent footwork to the rhythmic flow is infectious to all and depressing to none.
After an era of political disruption, an expansion in representation through music and artistry, and a reclamation of country not being exclusive to anybody - see Chappell Roan, a midwest lesbian pop icon who famously dawns a pink cowgirl hat and is currently on the Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess tour - there has been a massive soar in support and appreciation for country’s talented artists and their tracks. We’re seeing established artists that don’t typically associate with anything country related turn honky-tonk this year. Billboard-winner Top Artist Post Malone scored his first-ever Country Hot 100 on Billboard, paired with the unstoppable country singer Morgan Wallen to come out with I Had Some Help, topping Billboard charts for over a month as of today, superseding pop mega-hits including Sabrina Carpenter and her song Espresso. We see these chart-toppers complimenting mainstream country mega-artists including Zach Bryan, Tyler Childers, Blake Shelton, and Tate McRae.
Country’s Hottest (Platonic) Couple
Post Malone (left) poses with Morgan Wallen (right) in an interview with Variety magazine.
Suffice to say, the general public loves it, country singers love it, and us music fans with an appreciation for good music that hits the heart really love it. It’s a joyful summer, reminiscent of the “last great summer of 2016” as has been dubbed by the masses. A summer of ice cream melting on our sticky fingers, toes in the sand, lake water in our board shorts, sunset supernovas, and pickup truck bed rides. Freedom, beer, sun, trucks, exploration, and love… the foundation of what we know to be country music, and what we can all enjoy.