F-1 Trillion

Post Maloneが6作目となる新作はカントリー・アルバムを完成させた。Morgan Wallenと共演したシングル「I Had Some Help」は米Billboard Hot 100で1位を獲得し、2020年以降で最高の週間売上とストリーミング数を記録した。Post Maloneにとっては6度目の、Morgan Wallenにとっては2度目の首位獲得楽曲となり、この曲は5週連続でホット100の1位を獲得し、現時点では2024年のNo.1最長記録楽曲となっている。

After flirting with some light twang on 2023s guitar-laden Austin, Post Malone commits to the pivot with his full-on country foray, F-1 Trillion. His signature trill, vocal stylings, and lyrical blend of internal struggle and fast living are so well-suited to this genre that one might wonder if he had been working his way up to this all along. Having broken records with his rap, pop, and rock albums, it was only a matter of time until he embraced the sounds of his Texas surroundings. To really prove hes got the clout and support of the genre, he recruited an eye-popping guest list of superstars who help him capture the freewheeling, fun-loving spirit of contemporary country. Luke Combs duets on the breezy, carefree "Guy for That," while fellow hitmaker Morgan Wallen joins in on the upbeat, chart-topping international radio smash "I Had Some Help." Album-opener "Wrong Ones" with Tim McGraw is a rousing stomper fit for massive arenas, energy that is matched later in the set with the album highlight "California Sober" with Chris Stapleton. Meanwhile, the piano twinkles of the nostalgic "Have the Heart" with Dolly Parton inject some sweetness into this mostly broed-out, Solo-cup party. Elsewhere, Hank Williams, Jr., Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, Jelly Roll, ERNEST, and Billy Strings deliver very serviceable and irresistibly simple but catchy tunes to soundtrack a tailgate, pool party, barbecue, or any other opportunity for revelry and no-frills celebration. In addition to the yearning "Nosedive" with Lainey Wilson, a pair of solo Posty tracks -- the touching ode to his daughter, "Yours," and the sweet romance of "What Dont Belong to Me" -- digs into an even deeper emotional well, showcasing how much hes matured and shifted life priorities in such a short span. As 2024 was a banner year for country pivots (Beyonce, Yung Gravy, Lana Del Rey) and Hot 100 crossover hits (Shaboozeys "A Bar Song [Tipsy]"), Posts stylistic move could have either been a very calculated strategy to rack up more platinum certifications or simply a natural evolution for an artist who excels at whatever he tries. Regardless, this exercise works surprisingly well and, if one is a fan of this genre, F-1 Trillion knocks it out of the park. ~ Neil Z. Yeung

前々作から前作への変化を思えば決して意外ではなかった。とはいえ、ここまでハマるとは予想外だったし、制作するルイス・ベルの器用さにも改めて驚かされるカントリー・アルバム。モーガン・ウォーレンとの"I Had Some Help"やルーク・コムズとの"Guy For That"などトレンディな顔役とのヒットはもちろん、ブレイク・シェルトンやクリス・ステイプルトンといったスターやその次代にくるジェリー・ロールやレイニー・ウィルソン、さらにティム・マッグロウやドリー・パートンのような超大御所、ブルーグラス勢までキッチリ押さえているのが全方位的な気配りを感じさせておもしろい。気楽に聴ける好盤。
bounce (C)狛犬