Two days before Post Malone released “F-1 Trillion,” his sixth studio album and his first country record, he made his debut at the Grand Ole Opry.
A starry-eyed Brad Paisley introduced him, celebrating Malone for his incredible career accomplishments and “country heart.” When Malone took the stage, beer in hand, he was gracious and grateful — characteristic “sirs” and “ma’ams” flying out of his mouth with the same kind of effortless, anxious charm that allows Malone to slide into any genre as a collaborator, singer, rapper and instrumentalist. It simply made sense, and on the 18-track “F-1 Trillion,” so too does the idea of Malone as a Nashville superstar.
Paisley isn’t his only endorsement. Co-signs, Malone has a few: Dolly Parton, Hank Williams, Jr., Morgan Wallen, Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Chris Stapleton, Ernest, Sierra Ferrell, HARDY, Billy Strings and Luke Combs — who appears twice — are all featured on the album. It gives “F-1 Trillion” a gargantuan feeling, if not overstuffed, with tracks ripe for country radio. But is too much of a good thing, bad?
Take “I Had Some Help,” which features Wallen. The modern classic has spent more weeks at No. 1 than any other song this year so far; there’s no denying that honkytonk hook, Malone’s idiosyncratic autotuned vibrato or the singalong chorus. It hits less like a country music crossover and more like something completely organic — the sonic equivalent of a full embrace in the back of a truck bed, bright stars stretched out big and wide as if to reflect the curves of the earth.
“Guy For That” with Combs slows things down bit, all heartbreak and hangovers; “Pour Me A Drink” with Shelton breaks out the fiddle and celebrates a cold one at the end of a long day spent trying to make a decent living. “Losers” with Jelly Roll is an anthem for outsiders; “Never Love You Again” brings American roots musician Sierra Ferrell to the fore.
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