The winter of 2024 is one which none of us will likely be forgetting anytime quickly, and it’s solely proper that its soundtrack wins a essential addition from Chris Chitsey this January within the type of his new single “Life is Laborious, Whiskey is Simple.” Appropriately stylized as each an anthem of rusticity framed in trendy nation appeal, the vocal-led “Life is Laborious, Whiskey is Simple” is a muscularly melodic quantity from Chitsey that exhibits the world how a lot he can accomplish even with out the help of an even bigger band behind him.

In contrast to his earlier works, this track isn’t rooted in folky foundations; if something, it’s straight out of the Nashville classics that many people grew up singing behind a truck. There’s by no means a second during which the vocals right here couldn’t be described as virtuosic in each type and form, however on the similar time, there’s nothing within the general combine that feels even remotely overindulgent. Chitsey has no place for bells and whistles on this track; he’s bought an essential message he’s attempting to convey to us, and props would have solely gotten in the best way.

“Life is Laborious, Whiskey is Simple” feels prefer it’s on the shorter facet in its complete operating time, however due to its potent harmonies, it feels a heck of quite a bit grander and stuffed with vitality than a number of the longer tunes of the charts have in current reminiscence. The urgency in my man’s voice is greater than sufficient to make it really feel as if we’re listening to a extra dexterous effort than what some within the mainstream Nashville group would simply as quickly deem as a lot, and by the point the observe is over, nothing feels notably unfinished or halfhearted; the precise reverse, as I see it.

This single, by way of a solely aesthetical lens, is arguably as interesting to the hardcore nation crowd as it’s to the informal fan, and should you sustain with both of those genres with any type of dedication, you already know that they’re getting additional aside than ever due to parts of commerciality. One factor I choose up on in “Life is Laborious, Whiskey is Simple” is a disinterest in company fluff; it’s apparent that Chitsey is singing with all of his soul within the highlight right here.

I didn’t know a lot about Chris Chitsey up till trying out “Life is Laborious, Whiskey is Simple” for the primary time only recently, however I can let you know now that I’m going to be on the lookout for extra of his content material because the 12 months continues to come back into focus. Though centered on a classical composition type that has been making the rounds within the underground as of late, there’s nothing right here to counsel something however a pointy artistic future for this singer/songwriter and the distinctive mix of Americana and rootsy melody he’s shaping together with his sound. It’s not the one high quality nation track I’ve listened to these days, but it surely has the potential to be probably the most intriguing one you hear this January fifteenth.

Mindy McCall