Chase Rice - I Hate Cowboys & All Dogs Go to Hell

“I’ve learnt that losing Dad can make you pretty tough,” Chase Rice confesses on ‘Life Part of Livin’’, a touching cut from his sixth studio album, I Hate Cowboys & All Dogs Go To Hell. With this record, the singer comes to terms with grief through his latest musical chapter, pushing his artistic boundaries into uncharted territory on a deeply introspective and personal album.

In pulling back the curtain and opening up like never before, Rice has created a collection that epitomises artistic growth and showcases a whole new level of maturity. Gone are the click tracks and throwaway lyricism of years gone by. Here, we witness a new level in the evolution of Chase Rice, proving there’s a much more sophisticated, intriguing side to himself once you dig below the often ‘vanilla’ surface.

With a hand in the writing of every song on the album, there’s a true personal edge that adds such warmth and character - perhaps starting with his father’s portrait on the album art.

Life, loss and love might seem like tried and tested topics, but Rice approaches them with an endearing layer of class, sensitivity and a respect for the traditions of the genre. ‘Walk That Easy,’ the acoustic ‘Bench Seat’ and the phenomenal single ‘Key West & Colorado’ are songs Chase Rice’s catalogue has been simply begging for, even six records in.

Rice still finds emotional balance with a selection of light-hearted staples that serve as welcome relief. While ‘Bad Day to Be a Cold Beer’ may be uncannily reminiscent of Eric Church’s ‘Drink in My Hand’ it’s simply tailor-made for feel-good country festival nights.

Similarly, his rebellious, whiskey-drinking side is unleashed with ‘Sorry Momma,’ a big old barroom anthem with some definitively terrific country instrumentation. With that being said, the unsettlingly dark, grungy ‘Way Down Yonder’ feels a little like ‘filler’ material that we could easily have done without.

Consistency hasn’t been Chase Rice’s forte in years gone by. I Hate Cowboys & All Dogs Go to Hell is an exception – a largely solid offering that feels as much like a healing process for Rice as it is for his dedicated fans.

7/10

Chase Rice's 2023 album, I Hate Cowboys & All Dogs Go To Hell, is released February 10th via Dank Janiels Records. You can purchase the record from one of Holler's selected partners below: