The Dixie Chicks plan to release first studio album in fourteen years
TREND: Country stars dismissing conservatism
On a recent episode of the “Spiritualgasm” podcast, Dixie Chicks’ Natalie Maines revealed that the band is currently putting the final touches on their first new record in fourteen years due out later this year, tentatively titled Gaslighter. While this record will mostly chronicle her recent divorce, it’ll also touch upon the state of America under Trump. If you recall, the Dixie Chicks famously lost all support from the country community during the Bush years when they criticized his 2003 invasion of Iraq by stating “we don’t want this war, this violence, and we’re ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas.” They had to rebuild their career almost entirely from scratch and ultimately took home a sea of Grammys in 2006 for their resulting album, Taking the Long Way.
Kacey Musgraves – Credit Universal Music Group Nashville
Brandi Carlisle – Credit Alysse Gafkjen
Taking on the heavily right-leaning industry was beyond bold at the time. Since then, we’ve seen quite a few acts break from the mold. Notably, Kacey Musgraves who has been releasing music for some time but became a household name — and a favorite amongst queers who appreciate twang — with her latest release, the multi award-winning Golden Hour. She’s talked openly and nonchalantly of her unequivocal support for LGBTQ issues, gun control, abortion rights and climate policy. Singer-songwriter Brandi Carlisle, who has gone from a shy folk singer to a stadium-headliner is openly lesbian and frequently crosses over into the country realm with her genre-defying music. Her lyrics regularly touch upon women’s equality / empowerment and the international refugee crisis. Kudos to all these incredible women for refusing to back down for what’s right.
Essential Listening:
Kacey Musgraves – “Rainbow” and “High Horse”
Brandi Carlisle – “The Joke” and “The Story”
Dixie Chicks – “Goodbye Earl” and “Not Ready to Make Nice”
UPCOMING
Credit Supercolour Records
La Roux – Supervision (Supercolour Records): The third studio release from the androgynous, British electro-pop crooner is out later this winter. Her first record in five years is a retro-tinged fantasy inspired heavily by the likes of new wave heroes The Eurythmics, The Human League and OMD. Supervision‘s savage lead single “International Woman of Leisure” is a sort of kiss-off to an ex-lover and features La Roux’s instantly recognizable falsetto against a feel good, disco-esque hook. She’ll tour the globe extensively throughout the year bringing the party to a city near you.
Credit Big Hassle Medi
Tennis – Swimmer (Mutually Detrimental): The buzzy, husband-and-wife indie duo are about to return with the most stripped-down record of their decade-long career. Vocalist Alaina Moore on the lush lead single, “Runner:” “We were living off the grid, anchored in a fisherman’s cove called San Juanico. The only instruments we had on board were an acoustic guitar and a drum sequencer, but the limitations seemed to work in our favor.” For fans of ’70s pop, notably Fleetwood Mac, Carole King and The Carpenters.
Credit 4AD Records
Grimes – Miss Anthropocene (4AD Records): On her highly anticipated fifth studio album, the otherworldly avant-pop act plans to journey along a multitude of musical highways. The opening track, “So Heavy I Fell Through the Earth” is a fantastical, six-minute opus featuring her signature whispers against a mysterious yet intriguing electronic beat. The goal of the release is to bring attention to our growing, international climate challenges. With tracks titles such as “Delete Forever,” “My Name is Dark,” “Violence,” and “You’ll Miss Me When I’m Not Around,” you should expect the release to take a gloomy, direct turn as it progresses.
REVIEW:
Credit Dana Trippe
Kesha – High Road (RCA Records / Kemosabe): While her previous release, the critically acclaimed Rainbow, tackled a bevy of deep, personal issues, its follow-up High Road is a near polar-opposite. As she recently told Rolling Stone, for this release she “reconnected to the unrestrained joy and wildness that’s always been a part of me — and in this process I have had the most fun I’ve ever had making a record.” Returning to her pop roots, the album features “Raising Hell”, a frenetic duet with New Orleans bounce queen Big Freedia — and even a guest appearance from a gospel choir! On “My Own Dance,” “Kinky” and “Tonight,” the Kesha of yesteryear has returned in a major way — sassy, raunchy and energy galore. She brings the tempo down and showcases her often unappreciated vocal talents on “Resentment” featuring Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys and rising country star Sturgill Simpson. Somehow Kesha’s released the album of the summer — in January.
Last modified: May 12, 2020
