The Dixie Chicks are a strong name in country music who are recognized well beyond the USA. Known for striking emotional chords and addressing current socio-political issues, ‘Gaslighter’ is their first single release in 14 years.

All that to say: they can do it all, and they’re only getting better at it. This country music group has been impressing us with their distinct, inciting and compelling sound for almost three decades, and this latest track should assure their longtime fans that the trio is not nearing their end anytime soon. The Dixie Chicks were encoding political commentary into their music long before it was trendy to do so, and they go hard again with their latest single ‘Gaslighter’. 

The term ‘gaslighting’ has been thrown around quite frequently over the last few years, especially in matters of socio-political instances; it refers to the act of manipulating someone to the extent of making them question their own sanity. But The Dixie Chicks don’t attempt to touch upon the phrase’s most obvious usages; they try to reflect on their own personal stories instead. Throughout the song, it becomes clear they’re speaking directing to an ex-lover, someone who hurt and betrayed them time and again. They call this person a ‘liar’, a ‘denier’, someone who’d do anything to get themselves farther. 

It’s a roaring break-up anthem that’s as perfect for this year as it would have been for the nineties. The Dixie Chicks continue to win over the crowds, not because they’re skating on by nostalgia alone, but because they’re able to adapt themselves to the sensibilities of the present day. They tap into the raw feelings that we all have, but they also reign in the intensity with their charming country sound. The banjos, the fiddles, the upbeat tempo — they all contribute to a hopeful, fully-realized maturity. There is a bit of madness, a bit of relief and a whole lot of feminine self-assurance. 

Thankfully, their fans should know that the band is releasing their full-length album named Gaslighter on May 1, 2020. They have produced this album with the help of Jack Antanoff, who has worked with some top artists in the scene, including Lorde, Troye Sivan, Lana Del Rey amongst others. 

 Country      Americana 

Author: Shaoni Das

Shaoni Das is a writer/editor currently based in Edmonton, Canada. She remains eager to inspect how the changing culture of music impacts upon the greater world.