Organic is a word that used to be associated with country music. That older, more rootsy country music was often based on simple instruments: the mandolin, the acoustic guitar, the banjo, and the fiddle. Today, that word can no longer be associated with a lot of country music. Radio country, for the most part, is based on a pop beat, often teamed with computerized drums and synthesizers. But this new trio, Post Monroe is bringing that organic quality back into country music.
Post Monroe is a group made up of Whitney Duncan, Ashlee Hewitt, and Shelby McLeod. Their debut eponymous EP was produced by Dave Haywood from Lady Antebellum, and has already been noticed by many members of the country music community. This EP masterfully toes the line between country, bluegrass, and a little bit of pop, making it a perfect evolution of older, more traditional country music.
The harmonies are the most striking aspect of the EP. "Half Hearted" kicks off the EP on a bluegrass influenced note, and the three vocalists are pitch perfect on the three-part harmony. The message of the song is similar to Kelsea Ballerini's "Love Me Like You Mean it," most evident at the end of the chorus when the girls sing, "If you're gonna love me don't love me half hearted." But it's a country song, and a good one at that.
"Lucky One" is the hidden gem on this record. The song tells the story of a woman who sees her old boyfriend out with his new girlfriend, and instead of feeling jealous or sad, she feels lucky. She feels lucky that she is out of that relationship and no longer with that guy. There are so many songs about sadness and anger when it comes to relationships, and it's always refreshing to hear a love song that doesn't cover one of those emotions. The last lyric of the song is the best of the song: "My toughest lesson was you / You burned me like 80 proof / But I came out shining like new / cause I'm the lucky one."
The harmonies are the most striking aspect of the EP. "Half Hearted" kicks off the EP on a bluegrass influenced note, and the three vocalists are pitch perfect on the three-part harmony. The message of the song is similar to Kelsea Ballerini's "Love Me Like You Mean it," most evident at the end of the chorus when the girls sing, "If you're gonna love me don't love me half hearted." But it's a country song, and a good one at that.
"Lucky One" is the hidden gem on this record. The song tells the story of a woman who sees her old boyfriend out with his new girlfriend, and instead of feeling jealous or sad, she feels lucky. She feels lucky that she is out of that relationship and no longer with that guy. There are so many songs about sadness and anger when it comes to relationships, and it's always refreshing to hear a love song that doesn't cover one of those emotions. The last lyric of the song is the best of the song: "My toughest lesson was you / You burned me like 80 proof / But I came out shining like new / cause I'm the lucky one."
Even the more commercial-oriented music on this EP still stays true to country music. Their single and potential singles sound like what, in an ideal world, country radio would sound like. "Red Hot American Summer" has the most lead vocal changes of any of the songs on the EP, allowing each woman to introduce themselves personally to country radio. The song has the vibe of "Ready to Run" by the Dixie Chicks, paying homage to one of the former power groups of country music.
"Dixie Dust" is country to the core, with a topic that may have been overused in country music, but the production is lovely. On "Hell On Me," the three part harmony, along with the soulful instrumentals and the building production, makes for a heavenly experience, one that hasn't quite existed in country music since the Dixie Chicks. The song sounds as if John Mayer and Dave Cobb came together and produced a song meant for Carrie Underwood. Discussing how eventually this amazing relationship is going to end up being hell, the smokey production perfectly reflects the conflict in the song.
This EP is one of the best released this year, not just because the country production is a breath of fresh air, but also because the women of Post Monroe know what they want to say with their music, This is a cohesive, interesting project that should lead to much success for these three badass women.
Best tracks: Hell On Me, Lucky One
Throwaway tracks: none
Overall rating: 4 ½ crowns
"Dixie Dust" is country to the core, with a topic that may have been overused in country music, but the production is lovely. On "Hell On Me," the three part harmony, along with the soulful instrumentals and the building production, makes for a heavenly experience, one that hasn't quite existed in country music since the Dixie Chicks. The song sounds as if John Mayer and Dave Cobb came together and produced a song meant for Carrie Underwood. Discussing how eventually this amazing relationship is going to end up being hell, the smokey production perfectly reflects the conflict in the song.
This EP is one of the best released this year, not just because the country production is a breath of fresh air, but also because the women of Post Monroe know what they want to say with their music, This is a cohesive, interesting project that should lead to much success for these three badass women.
Best tracks: Hell On Me, Lucky One
Throwaway tracks: none
Overall rating: 4 ½ crowns
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