If you haven’t yet been hypnotised by the dazzling allure and infectious pop inflections of Chappell Roan yet – perhaps her side-step into country realms will pique your interest and pull you into her world of brazenly bedazzled charm.
With ‘The Giver’, Roan joins the ranks artists, like Beyoncé and Post Malone, who have made recent moves to the jaunty guitars of country tunes. In an interview however, Roan has clarified that this does not signify a complete move into the genre, but that she “just think[s] a lesbian country song is really funny. I wrote a country song not to invade country music, but to really capture what I think the essence of country music is for me.”
Despite the underlying quips and tongue-in-cheek humor, ‘The Giver’ demands to be taken seriously as a country effort. Clocking in at just over three minutes, the track takes no time in exploding in a symphony of strings and intermittent “woo-hoos” before Roan’s vocals enter, boasting a delectable country twang that notes on her effortlessly endearing ways (And other boys may need a map / But I can close my eyes / And have you wrapped around my fingers like that).
Offering herself up as a no-frills get-the-job-done partner (When you need the job done / You can call me, baby), Roan teased her multifarious roles (plumber, lawyer, dentist etc…) in a litany of social media posts pre-dating the release of the track. Just like her knack for songwriting, all this comes to her naturally, (It’s just in my nature), and her bold claims are supported by an equally vivid and robust soundscape.
Far removed from the neon-pop vibrancy of ‘Pink Pony Club’, but still featuring the cheeky, sensual nature the charismatic ‘HOT TO GO!’, ‘The Giver’ is an impressive offering from everyone’s favourite Midwest Princess.
‘The Giver’ proves Roan’s multifaceted talent an artist, she’s not a one-trick pony, and she’s not being confined to a box any time soon.
Words by Lana Williams
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