Country Universe
@countryuniverse.net
The longest-running country music blog (f. 08.2004).
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Country Universe
@countryuniverse.net
· Aug 31
A Separate Peace
Considerations on separating the art from the artist in 2025.
www.countryuniverse.net
Have had this one cooking for several weeks now: www.countryuniverse.net/2025/08/31/a...
Reposted by Country Universe
Reposted by Country Universe
Fayetteville singer-songwriter Nick Shoulders discusses his solo album 'Refugia Blues,' his path from punk rock to the music his grandparents sang, and the anti-authority resistance embedded in Southern Gospel and string band music.
Unbroken Circle — Nick Shoulders Reclaims Ozark Tradition:
Unbroken Circle — Nick Shoulders Reclaims Ozark Tradition:
Unbroken Circle — Nick Shoulders Reclaims Ozark Tradition
The Fayetteville singer-songwriter discusses his solo album 'Refugia Blues,' his path from punk rock to the music his grandparents sang, and the resistance embedded in Southern Gospel and string band music.
www.thetonearm.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Fayetteville singer-songwriter Nick Shoulders discusses his solo album 'Refugia Blues,' his path from punk rock to the music his grandparents sang, and the anti-authority resistance embedded in Southern Gospel and string band music.
Unbroken Circle — Nick Shoulders Reclaims Ozark Tradition:
Unbroken Circle — Nick Shoulders Reclaims Ozark Tradition:
Reposted by Country Universe
It is hard to come up with a better analogy for whiteness than preferring the AI simulacra of your supposed authentic art form to whatever a Black woman from your art form’s cultural geography might make.
As long as it's not Beyonce country music fans are fine with this development
November 11, 2025 at 7:53 PM
It is hard to come up with a better analogy for whiteness than preferring the AI simulacra of your supposed authentic art form to whatever a Black woman from your art form’s cultural geography might make.
J. Slone, ... Much (***): Quality-wise, he's already streaming way above his weight class. The aesthetic aims for folklore/evermore and Stick Season, while the singing and writing imagine if Z. Bryan were a middling tenor instead of a middling baritone. I hear the potential but not the *now* here.
November 10, 2025 at 5:53 PM
J. Slone, ... Much (***): Quality-wise, he's already streaming way above his weight class. The aesthetic aims for folklore/evermore and Stick Season, while the singing and writing imagine if Z. Bryan were a middling tenor instead of a middling baritone. I hear the potential but not the *now* here.
P. Bowen, Appalachia Forever (***1/2): Go-to session musician and songwriting ace reaffirms his own bona fides on an awfully strong second album. The engineering here doesn't sound lo-fi so much as it sounds *cheap*, and that's a disservice to the quality of this record overall.
November 10, 2025 at 5:49 PM
P. Bowen, Appalachia Forever (***1/2): Go-to session musician and songwriting ace reaffirms his own bona fides on an awfully strong second album. The engineering here doesn't sound lo-fi so much as it sounds *cheap*, and that's a disservice to the quality of this record overall.
Queenie & Hank, s/t (***1/2): The overall vibe is maybe a degree or two too arch for its own good, but this is also giving Shovels & Rope in the best ways, so I'm inclined to forgive the lapses into irony. His signature baritone and her new-to-me plaintive wail make for a great pairing.
November 10, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Queenie & Hank, s/t (***1/2): The overall vibe is maybe a degree or two too arch for its own good, but this is also giving Shovels & Rope in the best ways, so I'm inclined to forgive the lapses into irony. His signature baritone and her new-to-me plaintive wail make for a great pairing.
Reposted by Country Universe
Kyle Kingsbury is not a journalist. He is not an op-ed writer.
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
November 9, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Kyle Kingsbury is not a journalist. He is not an op-ed writer.
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
The title track to this week's flashback album doesn't have a hook so much as it has a Molotov Cocktail of undiluted twang. 30 years on, I still can't believe it was a hit: www.countryuniverse.net/2025/11/09/f...
Flashback: David Ball, Thinkin’ Problem
Yes, we admit…we think this one’s a classic.
www.countryuniverse.net
November 9, 2025 at 7:24 PM
The title track to this week's flashback album doesn't have a hook so much as it has a Molotov Cocktail of undiluted twang. 30 years on, I still can't believe it was a hit: www.countryuniverse.net/2025/11/09/f...
Reposted by Country Universe
Grace is a brilliant writer, and I thought Indigo’s initial way of handling her disappointment in a thoughtful review—punching stuff on TikTok and attacking someone a lot of us consider a friend online to her fans—was huge loser behavior. Who knew she would find a way to be an even bigger loser?
A few months ago Indigo De Souza called Pitchfork “internet bullies” over a 6.6 review of her new album and asked her fans to tell the publication it was “whack”: “why not ONLY write reviews about art you LIKE?”
Last night she wore a shirt featuring the review onstage at Pitchfork Music Festival.
Last night she wore a shirt featuring the review onstage at Pitchfork Music Festival.
Indigo De Souza Played Pitchfork Fest In A Shirt Featuring Their 6.6 Review Of Her Album
Indigo De Souza released her new latest album Precipice back in July, and some drama ensued shortly thereafter. Stereogum contributor Grace Robins-Somerville reviewed it for Pitchfork and gave it a 6....
www.stereogum.com
November 9, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Grace is a brilliant writer, and I thought Indigo’s initial way of handling her disappointment in a thoughtful review—punching stuff on TikTok and attacking someone a lot of us consider a friend online to her fans—was huge loser behavior. Who knew she would find a way to be an even bigger loser?
Have developed what appears to be an allergy to my CGM cyborg button because my body is literally always on its bullshit about something.
November 9, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Have developed what appears to be an allergy to my CGM cyborg button because my body is literally always on its bullshit about something.
Keeping with the campaign theme...
November 9, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Keeping with the campaign theme...
Reposted by Country Universe
With Cyndi Lauper’s WELL-DESERVED induction into the Rock Hall tonight, thought I’d re-up this piece I wrote on her a while back. anniezaleski.substack.com/p/shes-so-un...
November 8, 2025 at 9:27 PM
With Cyndi Lauper’s WELL-DESERVED induction into the Rock Hall tonight, thought I’d re-up this piece I wrote on her a while back. anniezaleski.substack.com/p/shes-so-un...
Various, Opry 100 (**): Does neither the genre nor the Opry as an institution any favors with a mostly rote selection of classic songs presented via a mixed bag of performances by the signature artists or not great covers by current artists. Only the closing OCMS performance is essential in any way.
November 8, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Various, Opry 100 (**): Does neither the genre nor the Opry as an institution any favors with a mostly rote selection of classic songs presented via a mixed bag of performances by the signature artists or not great covers by current artists. Only the closing OCMS performance is essential in any way.
Not going to repost the video of her latest grotesque screed since plenty of others have done that today, but a reminder for those interested in the current moment's intersection w the country music industry that Candace Owens is BFFs with Brittany Aldean and RaeLynn.
November 8, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Not going to repost the video of her latest grotesque screed since plenty of others have done that today, but a reminder for those interested in the current moment's intersection w the country music industry that Candace Owens is BFFs with Brittany Aldean and RaeLynn.
Reposted by Country Universe
while i was in 21 hours of labor on tuesday (...) the posts kept coming :) got the chance to speak with the inimitable and kind James Talley for Don't Rock The Inbox about the 50th anniversary of 'Got No Bread, No Milk, No Money But We Sure Got A Lot Of Love' www.dontrocktheinbox.com/james-talley...
James Talley On 50 Years of 'Got No Bread, No Milk, No Money, But We Sure Got A Lot Of Love'
The veteran singer-songwriter talks with DRTI about his timeless debut, and the half-century since.
www.dontrocktheinbox.com
November 8, 2025 at 6:17 PM
while i was in 21 hours of labor on tuesday (...) the posts kept coming :) got the chance to speak with the inimitable and kind James Talley for Don't Rock The Inbox about the 50th anniversary of 'Got No Bread, No Milk, No Money But We Sure Got A Lot Of Love' www.dontrocktheinbox.com/james-talley...
A. Bosko, CA Cowgirl (**): She has a strong, clear voice and a real sense of presence on record. But these songs are poorly constructed and riddled with every modern country cliché. And the production is so overly spit-polished that a brand-new album sounds terribly dated. Potential's there, though.
November 8, 2025 at 3:58 PM
A. Bosko, CA Cowgirl (**): She has a strong, clear voice and a real sense of presence on record. But these songs are poorly constructed and riddled with every modern country cliché. And the production is so overly spit-polished that a brand-new album sounds terribly dated. Potential's there, though.
J. Owen, ... Dream (***1/2): I'm on record that his one line on the "Life in a Northern Town" cover w LBT is the best thing he'd done to date, so all credit to Owen for the significant leveling up on this record. This scans less as trend-hopping and more as a genuine second act career pivot.
November 8, 2025 at 3:53 PM
J. Owen, ... Dream (***1/2): I'm on record that his one line on the "Life in a Northern Town" cover w LBT is the best thing he'd done to date, so all credit to Owen for the significant leveling up on this record. This scans less as trend-hopping and more as a genuine second act career pivot.
S. McCalla, ... Baby (****): Shares much of the talent pool, vocal tone, and fearlessness w her big sister, but she's committed to forging her own path. That fearlessness makes for a captivating listen, even if not every surprising genre signifier sticks just so. A winning family tradition here.
November 8, 2025 at 3:46 PM
S. McCalla, ... Baby (****): Shares much of the talent pool, vocal tone, and fearlessness w her big sister, but she's committed to forging her own path. That fearlessness makes for a captivating listen, even if not every surprising genre signifier sticks just so. A winning family tradition here.
NGDB, ... Night (EP)(***): This doesn't add to their considerable legacy in any significant way, but it's still a pleasure to hear from this crew-- and Matraca Berg on one track!-- again. The efficiency and sturdiness of these songs and arrangements find NGDB doing what they do best.
November 8, 2025 at 2:29 PM
NGDB, ... Night (EP)(***): This doesn't add to their considerable legacy in any significant way, but it's still a pleasure to hear from this crew-- and Matraca Berg on one track!-- again. The efficiency and sturdiness of these songs and arrangements find NGDB doing what they do best.
That thing when something comes up in a playlist and you're as furious as you were in 2022 that it wasn't a massive hit...
November 7, 2025 at 10:59 PM
That thing when something comes up in a playlist and you're as furious as you were in 2022 that it wasn't a massive hit...
Love love love these quotes from Emmylou, and will throw out that this is one of the all-time greatest country gospel tracks:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdoR...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdoR...
November 7, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Love love love these quotes from Emmylou, and will throw out that this is one of the all-time greatest country gospel tracks:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdoR...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdoR...
Whiskey Myers, Whomp... (**1/2): They're an experienced outfit with a certain level of skill, but this is giving Black Crowes in literally every way, which means that there's a decent-sized audience for this album, but Lord it ain't me.
November 7, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Whiskey Myers, Whomp... (**1/2): They're an experienced outfit with a certain level of skill, but this is giving Black Crowes in literally every way, which means that there's a decent-sized audience for this album, but Lord it ain't me.
N. Shoulders, Refugia Blues (****1/2): Few are better at bringing an essential, of-this-exact-moment POV to old-timey country forms than Shoulders, and this is his most incisive and most empathetic work to date. His eyes might be closed on the cover art, but he sees the modern world with clarity.
November 7, 2025 at 9:00 PM
N. Shoulders, Refugia Blues (****1/2): Few are better at bringing an essential, of-this-exact-moment POV to old-timey country forms than Shoulders, and this is his most incisive and most empathetic work to date. His eyes might be closed on the cover art, but he sees the modern world with clarity.
This is pretty terrible as an interpretation of this song, and wow, do I have a lot of questions about his POV on The Chicks...
November 7, 2025 at 7:15 PM
This is pretty terrible as an interpretation of this song, and wow, do I have a lot of questions about his POV on The Chicks...
Best surprise? Southern Avenue's Family in Best Cont. Blues Album.
Bummed about Trisha Yearwood; not surprised but also bummed for Kane Brown, who continues to be underestimated.
In contrast, for the third straight year, Grammy voters have ignored the hype and, rightly, rejected Megan Moroney.
Bummed about Trisha Yearwood; not surprised but also bummed for Kane Brown, who continues to be underestimated.
In contrast, for the third straight year, Grammy voters have ignored the hype and, rightly, rejected Megan Moroney.
November 7, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Best surprise? Southern Avenue's Family in Best Cont. Blues Album.
Bummed about Trisha Yearwood; not surprised but also bummed for Kane Brown, who continues to be underestimated.
In contrast, for the third straight year, Grammy voters have ignored the hype and, rightly, rejected Megan Moroney.
Bummed about Trisha Yearwood; not surprised but also bummed for Kane Brown, who continues to be underestimated.
In contrast, for the third straight year, Grammy voters have ignored the hype and, rightly, rejected Megan Moroney.