New releases have become commonplace in the West Virginia music scene and every week we are treated to new and exciting music that shows off the talent of the state. This week sees two West Virginia artists teaming up for duets on one the most anticipated albums of the year.
Love him or hate him, Post Malone has become one of the biggest and most influential artists in the music world. Early on in his career, many considered what he was doing to be a gimmick with no sustainable future, this writer included. When Malone, aka Austin Post, came on the scene he was a young kid whose name was created by an online rap name generator. He’s collabed with some big names in hip hop. He’s had hit songs like Sunflower for the animated “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” movie which was the first song to ever be certified double diamond (20 times platinum.) He has a duet on Taylor Swift’s recent album, “The Tortured Poets Department.” His star power is legit.
Post continued to evolve and grow and try anything he wanted to, and by doing so has cemented himself as an artist who will be around for as long as he wants to. And this constant evolution has taken him to a place very few expected: country music. Today sees the release of his full length album, “F-1 Trillion.”
If you’re going to do country music and want bonafide chops in the industry it’s best to consult with those who have been there and know it well. Malone who was raised in Texas should know something about country music. In true Post fashion, he got some of the best in the country world to duet on the album, including two of the biggest names to come out of West Virginia in the last 30 years, Brad Paisley and Sierra Ferrell.
A now veteran of the country music world, Paisley is featured on the heartbreak track, Goes Without Saying. Not only does Brad lend his voice but his distinct guitar playing is all over the track. The songs lyrics are a great example of wordplay. This track will be a chart topper if released as a single. In fact, most songs on this album fit into that category.
Malone and Paisley also have great harmonies. Post seems to be able to harmonize with anyone he songs with and that in and of itself is a talent. The one thing here that we didn’t expect, as much of, was Post using his distinct autotune in parts of these tracks. But it works.
The second artist from West Virginia to duet on the project is a relative newcomer on the national scene but well known to anyone that’s been paying attention to this rising powerhouse in her own right, Sierra Ferrell. Sierra is on a massively big trajectory having recently appeared on Colbert, Kimmel, a very recent NPR Tiny Desk Concert and massive festival and concert appearances.
This duet on the song Never Love You Again comes as no surprise to those who’ve been watching. Starting with Post wearing a Ferrell shirt at CMA fest and then the two recently performed at an event in Nashville which saw them perform the aforementioned song and a cover of the Johnny Cash and June Carter hit, Jackson. The song is one of the most old school sounding tracks on the album and shows off why Ferrell is getting the attention that she so richly deserves and has worked hard to achieve. Never Love You Again is a song of hopelessness in a lost love that sees Ferrell sing along with Malone throughout the entire track. Listen to the hauntingly beautiful track below.
Welcome to country, Post. We are glad some West Virginias helped get him there. It will be interesting to see what he does next.
Listen to all of the amazing West Virginia Music on our Spotify Playlist. More streaming services being added soon.
