Single review: "Lights of a Combine" — Kelsey Fitch

The Canadian country scene has been exploding recently. There are so many amazing female country acts coming from Canada these days, ones who seem to respect country music more than so many American artists do. Lindi Ortega, Madeline Merlo, Lindsay Ell, Jess Moskaluke, Kira Isabella and Leah Daniels are just a few of the best. And Kelsey Fitch is right up there with them. This song is the third single from her EP Play Nice, released in March. It was sent to Canadian Country Radio last month, and the music video has already hit 50,000 views, despite only being out for a month.

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"Lights of a Combine" is a simple song about the pleasures of simple love. The song is a version of country pop, but doesn't have the heavy pop undertones and electropop beats of many country pop songs these days. What I personally love about this song is that it's understated. There are no loud, brash elements that call for attention. Fitch's voice is lovely, but not Carrie Underwood strong or Alison Krauss breathy. It's a sweet, middle of the road voice that is so refreshing to hear. She shouldn't be anything special, but she is because she's creating the kind of county music that should be on Music Row. She's one of the only musicians not trying to stretch the meaning of the word country music and embracing and loving the genre.

This song doesn't cover any new territory, and it's not groundbreaking, but it's unoffensive, one that could be categorized as country music without much debate. And it's good music. And that's more than you can say about most of country radio's songs today. Kelsey Fitch respects county music and creates her own vein of the genre that is just pleasing to listen to. Look out for her in the future, because she's going far.
Overall rating: 4 crowns

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