You wouldn’t expect an interview with the mayor of New York City to turn to country music, but that’s what happened earlier this week.

Uploaded to YouTube on July 21, mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani, made his appearance as the latest guest on the Rolling Stone Interview. The mayor, who was elected in January 2026, has become somewhat of a “people’s hero”, continuously making sure that people in the Big Apple, and beyond, know that he’s just as down to Earth as the rest of us.

Mamdani sat down with Jack Crosbie - Rolling Stone Senior Writer - and the pair started off the conversation by addressing the “elephant in the room: Taylor Swift’s wedding”. After some discreet and well avoided answers about city permits relating to the ‘Love Story’ singer's big day, the interview turned to questions about how New York has responded to Mamdani’s mayoral position and his plans for the future.

Towards the end of the interview though, Crosbie asked a bit about Mamdani's deep love of music - something that has ran deep throughout his life.

Crosbie observing, “Your references to music are everywhere. It doesn't seem like you can give a speech without dropping a line or reference.” In response to this, Mamdani explains that music has always been part of the way he sees the world, recalling a story about buying records in New York City as a child. Crosbie made sure to ask another important question, “What are you listening to right now?”

“If I’m feeling reflective, I throw on some Kacey Musgraves,” with Crosbie replying that the ‘Rainbow’ hitmaker's new album, Middle of Nowhere, was great. Mamdani then stated that he’s “still listening to Golden Hour”. The Grammy Album of the Year-winning album has been a staple in many people’s record collection since its release in 2018, and by the sound of it, it’s even one to turn to when mayoral responsibilities get a bit overwhelming.

It seems as if Musgraves may have taken the interview as quite the compliment, reposting the clip from the Rolling Stone social media to her Instagram story - no caption necessary. Although a Texan icon through and through, Musgraves’ music knows no bounds, and has reached people in New York City and beyond.

We’re all in support of conversations about country music taking place on the main stage, especially when they lead us back to an album as monumentally special as Golden Hour.