Will Groff
Will Groff is a music and culture writer whose work has appeared in The Boot, Country Queer, Taste of Country, and beyond.
ALBUM REVIEW•Caitlyn Smith - High
This self-produced set bears the mark of a woman who is secure in her life and in her art.
ALBUM REVIEW•Old Dominion - Time, Tequila & Therapy
Time, Tequila & Therapy marries soft-rock and jam-band sensibilities over 13 songs that are most obviously indebted to “Gulf and Western” primogenitor Jimmy Buffett.
INTERVIEW•In Conversation: Leyla McCalla
"For me, making music is very intuitive. I wasn’t thinking, I want to expand what Americana is. Honestly, I find it remarkable that this music is considered Americana."
ALBUM REVIEW•Dustin Lynch - Blue in the Sky
Blue in the Sky is a solid representation of the commercial country status quo; Dustin Lynch opting to reinforce country tropes even when presented with an opportunity to subvert them.
ALBUM REVIEW•Luke Combs - Growin' Up
Growin’ Up stubbornly asserts that a solid country album can simply be a solid country album. Whether that will be enough in a market where only the biggest releases get attention, only time will tell.
ALBUM REVIEW•Maddie & Tae - Through the Madness, Vol. 1
Even when they’re playing it safe, Maddie & Tae make for a captivating pair, and there are nuances to certain songs on this record that reward paying full attention. One only wishes there were more of them.
INTERVIEW•Paul Cauthen: Country As Fuck
Paul Cauthen doesn’t care if you think he’s country or not. Sitting down with the man himself, Holler finds out just what makes 'big velvet' country as fuck.
COUNTRY CLASSICS•Taylor Swift - Red
As with so much of Swift’s output, Red can be remembered as it should be: truly, gloriously singular. Just don’t say it’s her best album.
INTERVIEW•Ten Year Town: Brooke Eden
Holler catches up with the 'Knock' singer to discuss her early aspirations, the state of LGBTQ representation in country music and what it means to have an "authentic" sound.
INTERVIEW•In Conversation: Sarah Shook & The Disarmers
Sarah Shook catches up with Holler to discuss inspirations, the impact of sobriety on their art and how they ensure that people of marginalized identities feel welcome at their shows.
ALBUM REVIEW•Walker Hayes - Country Stuff The Album
The results of this record aren’t offensive, so much as painfully boring.
ESSENTIALS•The Best Cam Songs
Holler takes a closer look at the best songs from one of country music’s most singular voices.
STAFF PICKS•Adeem the Artist - White Trash Revelry
Adeem the Artist's truth-telling is an antidote not only to country radio but also to our political discourse writ large.
ESSENTIALS•The Best Loretta Lynn Songs
Inspired by the success of Kitty Wells, Loretta Lynn parlayed her sizeable talent and natural charm into one of the most successful country careers of all time. We look back at 15 of her best songs.
LONG READ•The Running Kind: Reconsidering Tradition Through Merle Haggard
Writer David Cantwell speaks to Will Groff about his new book on country icon Merle Haggard.
STAFF PICKS•Maren Morris - Humble Quest
Humble Quest, the third album from country-pop superstar Maren Morris, is a nuanced return to the fold.