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The country genre being a kind of music that is American in nature and substance has witnessed some revolutions over years.
Alongside the fast-evolving music scene, country musicians do not refrain from playing around with sounds, mixing genres, and treading where others even try to go.
This fusion of styles has sparked a debate among fans, critics, and artists themselves if the blending of genres can harm or benefit the genre’s identity.
This article is going to address the pros and cons of country music’s genre-bending movement.
Help – Expanding Country Music’s Identity
The fusion of country music with other genres has opened doors to a new audience, creative freedom, and entirely new sounds made instantly available.
Incorporating some elements of rock, pop, blues, and other genres that country music has influenced will expose new listeners who might not have heard of the genre before.
Examples are younger artists likeKelseaBallerini, who infuse her country sound with pop to attract a younger audience and eventually help her succeed.
Likewise,Florida Georgia Line’s“Meantto Be”with pop singerBebe Rexhaopened up a new audience for country music, and pop-country crossover performerMaren Morris’shas earned Grammy and pop chart success.
Empowered by the blending of inspirations, country musicians today have the freedom to explore and go beyond the boundaries of the genre.
Chris Stapleton has won multiple awards and received high marks for his heartfelt country sound, which is influenced by blues and rock.
Effective conversions of the genre from pop to rock were made byCarrie Underwoodin “CryPretty” and “Love Wins,” andKeith Urbanin “Coming Home” and “The Fighter.”
Keith Urban.
By fusing several genres, country musicians can stay fresh and edgy while keeping their music confined to a small group.
Furthermore, the main cause of the longevity and liveliness of country music as a whole has been its hybridity with other genres.
This style of music can be constantly relevant and become a favorite for the expanding audience while staying faithful to its roots by adapting to variety and originality.
Similar to howDierk Bentley’scombination of rock, country, and bluegrass has won him a plethora of followers.
Luke Bryan‘s relevance at the top of the country charts can be found in his use of pop and rock.
Hits like “Chicken Fried” and “Toes,” which demonstrate the value of genre-bending in country music, are the result ofZac Brown Band‘s blend of country, rock, and folk music.
Hurt- Diluting Country Music’s Identity
Mixing country music with other genres not only adds so many more advantages but also poses a serious risk to the uniqueness of the genre.
Whenever country performers stray from traditional country sounds and themes and become more contemporary, they run the risk of upsetting fans and losing the essence of the genre.
To give an example, some ofSam Hunt‘s fans are confused by his latest country sound, which has been criticized of being “country-washed” by pop.
Even their most supporters have not spared the discussion about whether it is now appropriate to classify country musicians likeTaylor SwiftandKacey Musgravesas country artists or not.
Artists find it hard to establish their own identity and gain recognition when their country music is blended with other genres that do not emphasize the distinctiveness and individuality of the particular sound.
Country music is becoming ordinary and unattractive as all genres are blending together and pop and rock elements are being introduced all the time.
The country-rock songs byEricChurchandJason Aldeandemonstrate how many musicians have been edging closer to one another in terms of voice and guitar licks.
A common betting ground, airplay, also has a tendency to favor commercial over creative content, which eventually robs the genre of its soul.
As country music usually has an emotionally charged and unadulterated tone, singers who incorporate pop and rock components into their songs lose the ability to express stories.
Performers like Brody Jenner and Chase Rice have been criticized of being overly popular and/or of incorporating a lot of rock-related sounds and styles.
The Importance of Balance
While it is true that country music combines with other genres to produce both successes and failures, the key to success is identifying a balance between innovation and tradition preservation.
Country musicians shouldn’t sacrifice their genuine essence and artistic integrity for balancing the characters of a country with new sound.
For instance, the development of a combination of styles out of which country music still shines has been greatly influenced by musicians like Chris Stapleton and Maren Moris.
The critics have mostly praisedStapletonfor his soulful, blues-inspired country sound, butMorrishas become well-known for her chart-topping country/pop crossover sound.
Whether this balance is necessary or not will determine how much the music can change while maintaining its character.
Such examples of popular success includeAshley McBrydeandKacey Musgraves, who have blended pop and rock elements into their songs without altering their fundamental country sound.
These two styles are perfectly balanced onMusgraves‘ song “Golden Hour“. Both country and pop elements like folksy lyrics and storytelling are present in them.
Although it currently combines with other genres for creative reasons, country music also reflects the ever-changing interests and preferences of its fans.
What determines which genres of music thrive or die is the performers and their supporters.
Being the officials of country music, musicians should never stop educating listeners about the genuine topics and deep roots of the genre while staying up to date with recent developments and cores.
Its uniqueness and audience connection must be preserved at the same time as creative thinking and its conventional character are balanced.
Sometimes musicians likeLuke CombsandJon Pardisuccessfully combine traditional country components into their songs, mixing the old and contemporary aspects of country music.
Nonetheless, by consistently releasing hits and publicizing the music, fans have the power to shape future genres.
Apart from the musicians who combine other genres and those who innovate, fans will be able to build a lively stage for such country music.
However, the fans equally must preserve the traditions and rituals so that country music continues to be true to the ones that made it iconic.
Conclusion
Setting the line between country music and other musical genres is a difficult one.
While the first group feels that it delivers the creativity of the genre and has a “novelty effect” among listeners.
The second feels that this is done to the harm of country music and disappoints its traditional supporters.
Ultimately, country music may change while maintaining its identity if it can find a balance between evolution and continuity.
The previous few years’ incorporation of country music with other genres has only joyfully and fruitfully changed the traditional music landscape, drawing in new fans and maintaining the appeal of the genre.
Nevertheless, an artist should be brave enough to reinvent the genre and look for fresh approaches to make everyone’s heart sing while also honoring its rich heritage.
Last Updated: May 10, 2024
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