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Country Universe

@countryuniverse.net

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The longest-running country music blog (f. 08.2004). www.countryuniverse.net

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Country Universe @countryuniverse.net · Aug 31

Have had this one cooking for several weeks now: www.countryuniverse.net/2025/08/31/a...

A Separate Peace

Considerations on separating the art from the artist in 2025.

www.countryuniverse.net

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Country Universe @countryuniverse.net · 3h

This week's flashback post covers the debut album by the fantastic but doomed-by-label-politics Danni Leigh: www.countryuniverse.net/2025/10/12/f...

Flashback: Danni Leigh, 29 Nights

A honky tonk treasure.

www.countryuniverse.net

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Country Universe @countryuniverse.net · 3h

Miranda put it all together on CExG, and I'd say Carter seems fully formed here.

Country Universe @countryuniverse.net · 5h

I *loved* the singles but wasn't sure if she would sustain that level at album length. And she didn't: She exceeded it.

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Country Universe @countryuniverse.net · 5h

Even a Brennen Leigh album that isn't my favorite of hers is still going to be worthwhile. She's just so very good at what she does!

Country Universe @countryuniverse.net · 6h

"You played me like an old six string / And then wonder why I gently weep," for instance, is an absolute marvel of construction and the kind of purposeful cultural literacy that's rare in today's country mainstream songwriting. Faith has all the goods to be a genre-defining superstar. Essential.

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Country Universe @countryuniverse.net · 6h

Every track contains at least one lyric that's among the year's best, as Faith and her PICs (Monroe, Ratiere among them) thoughtfully consider the "last time [she] was happy" over the course of songs that drill deep into the things and people that do and do not bring her happiness and fulfillment.

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Country Universe @countryuniverse.net · 6h

C. Faith, Cherry Valley (****1/2): The finest mainstream country debut since Miranda's Kerosene a generation ago, and it's not particularly close, and daresay this is even better than that record. Clever as all get out and twangy AF, Faith re-sets the bar for the neo-neo-traditionalist insurgency.

Carter Faith's "Cherry Valley" album cover.

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Country Universe @countryuniverse.net · 7h

B. Leigh, Don't You... (***1/2): Flawlessly executed trad country and Western swing, as is her wont. At her best, Leigh brings a modern POV to her chosen aesthetic, making it feel current and vital. This set, though, scans as more purposefully antiquated in its lyrical content. But worth a listen.

Brennen Leigh's "Don't You Ever Give Up On Love" album cover.

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Country Universe @countryuniverse.net · 7h

L. Lynn, ... Cowboy (****): As ever, her brand of self-consciously weird Americana toes the line of being pretentious but, miraculously, stays on the right side of that divide. There are moments on this when the production recalls a twangy take on PJ Harvey's "Is This Desire?" and *amen* to that.

Lera Lynn's "Comic Book Cowboy" album cover.

Country Universe @countryuniverse.net · 7h

B. Dunne, Clams Casino (****): "Play the hits," he sings early on, and there's a better timeline in which Dunne's note-perfect brand of clever, hook-forward roots rock made him a AAA or Hot AC star. I'd lost sight of him for a run of a few albums but won't make that mistake again.

Brian Dunne's "Clams Casino" album cover.

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Country Universe @countryuniverse.net · 7h

L. Watkins, ... World (**1/2): After a promising 2024 debut album, this is an exercise in significant regressions: Toward the mean in terms of songwriting quality, toward a POV that's too often a reflection of / dependence on a man. The innate talent's still there, but this is a disappointment.

Lauren Watkins' "In a Perfect World" album cover.

Country Universe @countryuniverse.net · 7h

Suzy Bogguss is as pure a vocalist as the genre's ever had, and this recognition is long overdue!

Clay Stone @flinthaven.bsky.social · 8h

@countryuniverse.net Suzy Bogguss to the Opry!
m.youtube.com/shorts/G43cm...

BREAKING: Kathy Mattea Invites Suzy Bogguss to become the next member of the Grand Ole Opry!

YouTube video by Grand Ole Opry

m.youtube.com

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Country Universe @countryuniverse.net · 7h

BRILLIANT!!!

And what a line-up on that stage to share the moment with her.

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Country Universe @countryuniverse.net · 22h

It. Is. Maddening. He was on such an *early* season of Road Rules, too. This is someone who's been at least JV level famous since my old ass was in undergrad.

Reposted by Country Universe

Tara's Legendary Coven @tarantical.bsky.social · 1d

This is my favorite from 👑 Neko's new album.
youtu.be/vsPpzDyDnQw?...

Saturday Sessions: Neko Case performs "Little Gears"

YouTube video by CBS Mornings

youtu.be

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Country Universe @countryuniverse.net · 1d

Those shirts are giving big Brittany Aldean vibes.

Country Universe @countryuniverse.net · 1d

The only way to be at the Tyler Childers show, truly!

Reposted by Country Universe

Matt Ufford @mattufford.bsky.social · 2d

certain people are put on Earth for a reason, and @albertburneko.bsky.social is here to tear down dumbasses (gift link) defector.com/breaking-som...

Breaking: Some Guy Now Aware Of Most Revered Country Artist Who Ever Lived | Defector

Rare indeed is the headline-and-dek combo worth noticing, or caring about. In many publications, these aren’t even written by the same person who wrote the actual blog; at any rate they’re many hundre...

defector.com

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Country Universe @countryuniverse.net · 2d

And there's clearly a conversation to be had as to why Big Loud isn't pouring its resources into centering her within the country mainstream the way Shaboozey-- surprisingly enough-- has been. The bangers on this ought to be on every playlist "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" was and is still on.

Country Universe @countryuniverse.net · 2d

INK, Big Buskin' (****): An exhilarating if too brief listen, this set establishes her as far more than just a go-to hitmaker for other artists. Her command of country songwriting conventions is unimpeachable, and she's a commanding presence on record who backs up every bit of her swagger.

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Country Universe @countryuniverse.net · 2d

Neko, always a real one. Good on her.

Stereogum @stereogum.bsky.social · 2d

Neko Case ends Tennessee show early after venue refuses to remove armed security guard

Neko Case Ends Tennessee Show Early After Venue Refuses To Remove Armed Guard

Neko Case played a show Thursday night at the Caverns in the tiny Tennessee town of Pelham — or at least she started to, before walking off stage after her first few songs. The reason for her departur...

www.stereogum.com

Country Universe @countryuniverse.net · 2d

If you aren't already a supporter of DRtI, surely the contrast between their essential and informed work and that dumbfuck Johnny Cash piece in the WSJ should push you in the right direction.

As ever, Natalie and Marissa are among the very best of the very best.

Natalie Weiner @natalieweiner.bsky.social · 2d

new picks out! a reminder that unlike...a lot of newsletters, we offer free content weekly. as a result, i think we have fewer paid subs - but it's important to both of us that our work can be read. could certainly use your support though! www.dontrocktheinbox.com/put-a-record...

Put A Record On: Upbeat Songs for Downbeat Times

Welcome back to Don’t Rock the Inbox. Here’s this week’s music recommendation post and playlist, which are for paying subscribers only. If you’re interested in paid content but not able to afford it, ...

www.dontrocktheinbox.com

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Reposted by Country Universe

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 3d

Contributor @joshfrmusic.bsky.social dissects the myth of authenticity in country music -- and takes us through a literature review of scholars and journalists hard at work to dispel it.

rainbowrodeomag.com/...

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Country Universe @countryuniverse.net · 3d

Ayo @beedelores.bsky.social to thread...

Country Universe @countryuniverse.net · 3d

So many cultural critics and journalists have lost their jobs this year, while the Wall Street Journal apparently paid The Most Oblivious Human Alive to write whatever ragebait fuckery this is.

bendwalsh.bsky.social @bendwalsh.bsky.social · 3d

wtaf are you talking about

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