Post Malone Changed My Mind.
I have hated country music for as long as I can remember. Most of the songs I heard had little to no creative expression. Time and again, there were the same 4 chords, the same 4/4 time signature, and the same old stories with a throughline from a dog dying, to buying a tractor, to drinking six 12-packs of beer. Writing this confession from the country capital of the world is a cardinal sin. However, I have been converted…almost.
Post Malone was the last person I expected to be my segue into country. Yet, the release of F-1 Trillion was not only a pleasant surprise of Malone’s take on the genre but also of how well he acclimated to such a drastic genre switch. Most people recognize Post Malone from his Hip-Hop-heavy releases of Stoney and beerbongs & bentleys, with iconic songs like “Congratulations,” “White Iverson,” and “Rockstar” recognized as definitive for the 2010’s era of music. Through the years, Malone began to lean into pop-rap, pop-rock, and straight pop, with hits like “Sunflower,” “Circles,” and “I Like You.” As a pop lover, I listened to this part of his discography most. Regardless, Malone’s storytelling was original and vulnerable wherever his sound went, and his vocals were tailor-made for every style he tried, which made the listening experience.
Post Malone’s feature on Noah Kahan’s “Dial Drunk” was the first time I heard Malone’s voice in a folk setting. Despite the song being out of my comfort zone, I enjoyed it. It still had the polished, radio pop appeal of Malone. It gave the song a sense of familiarity, even though I have never been a fan of folk and country influences. However, I began to wonder where the single came from — why had Post Malone been featured in a genre that was not his?
I felt betrayed the day I saw Malone’s name listed beside Morgan Wallen’s in bright, white Spotify typeface. “Why Posty? Why?” Malone was never supposed to be country. But the tragic moment lasted for all of 30 seconds. After one full playthrough of Malone and Wallen’s “I Had Some Help,” I fell in love. Malone’s slight raspiness paired with clean guitar riffs and an addicting chorus line was all I needed to keep this song on repeat for hours. I even appreciated Morgan Wallen’s feature — the pair’s voices were natural together. The track held its place in my “On Repeat” playlist for weeks. All the while, Malone continued to immerse himself in the country music scene, and I stood by him.
Before F-1 Trillion, Malone dropped two more singles: “Guy for That” and “Pour Me a Drink” featuring, yet again, vocal performances from established country giants, Luke Combs and Blake Shelton, respectively. The feeling of deja vu overwhelmed me while listening to the singles. I was reminded of the pleasant surprise I had with “I Had Some Help,” solidifying how good Malone sounded in this genre. Malone’s relaxed vocals formed a trinity with interesting chord progressions and a prevalent joy that came through each song made for a distinctively memorable listening experience. I had never been excited about the release of a country album in my life.
After listening to Malone’s F-1 Trillion for a trillion times upon its release, I was refreshed and clinically happier. The joyous energy, addicting lyrics, and instrumentals that made me want to learn to line dance — they were all there. Additionally, the abundance of features by Dolly Parton, Blake Shelton, Jelly Roll, and Chris Stapleton made Malone’s project that much more accessible to different crowds in the country space, setting the album as a distinctive collection of G.O.A.T.s.
F-1 Trillion is a milestone in the evolution of country’s industry, one that is natural and tailor-made for Post Malone’s sound. Post Malone opened the door to a genre I never thought I would enjoy, doing so as if he had been making country for years. Now, as I continue to dive into country in a post-F-1 Trillion world, I will be trekking into this strange, honkytonk-filled genre knowing “I Had Some Help” along the way.
Featured album image from “F-1 Trillion” – Post Malone on Spotify.
