I like some country music. My family is Appalachia country. I'm not a cowboy but I can shoot a squirrel in a pine tree blind folded. But I prefer Euro metal it makes me feel sophisticated, and I can except my crazy side.😎
Your best video to date. As a 37 year old father of two boys, married to the love of my life and someone who has listened to hardcore/punk since about 5th grade I love country music. I still skateboard and blast metal for my boys in the minivan from time to time. Being happy is great. More people should try it.
Hey man sorry to hear about that. Hope you got through whatever you were going through. Does the therapist not understand that we listen to metal because we enjoy it and relieves the stress of everyday life.
He can only shit on metal and metal heads and punk for so long before that's not his audience anymore. It's not like a jab or a ribbing here and there, it's beyond that. Good luck to Finn in his new direction though, because he's definitely choosing a different path.
I still listen to punk but I never really liked the really angry nihilistic punk like pistols or dead Kennedys I liked melodies and love songs or just I'm lonely songs which country has too
This one, officer. This one right here. EDIT: I actually love your perspective, Finn, even if you gravitate to a lot of the country I don't love. For me, I just wanna BELIEVE the artists (and I tend to like songs that reflect real life, as it is, rather than have an overly idealized outlook on how life should be, but I'm also a sadboi), so some of the Disneyfied values in these songs/art feel so fake to me when we have heard the artists' former discography of douchebag bro anthems, and now they're singing wedding songs. Country is special to me because it can be raw, funny, edgy, and just reflect reality, so I actually love artists like Zach Bryan and Miranda Lambert who have much more dubious morality in their songs. And tbh it's prob also true that that we are overly steeped in our respective genres we cover, so we look waaaaay less critically (and more fondly) at other genres. That's why Jxdn is my fave rock artist of right now.😂 Anyway, I still support your normie journey! Love how open you are to changing. You're an artist yourself, my friend!
I still can’t stand most of this stuff honestly. I grew up in a small rural town where everyone listens to this and maybe Finn doesn’t quite get it being from the northwest but the lyrics are super pandering to a certain type of person who maybe grew up too fast, never left their hometown and probably had kids too early. This is just feel good cope music for them.
I agree and alot of this stuff also promote alcoholism shamelessly. I work in construction with people who listen to country all the time. They still go to strip clubs and have on multiple occasions cheated on their significant other. Talking about morals and having them are two different things.
@@orrfannut9527 It’s kinda crazy to me how people from parts of the country that are known for strict religion can contradict their own values so much.
The whole point is “grew up too fast, never left their hometown, had kids too early” is totally subjective and maybe that whole thing isn’t so bad. Wouldn’t it be nice to be content with that?? It’s not for me, but I envy people that can enjoy that
I agree with the point you made about Rock and metal and heavier music having a tendency to promote toxic behaviors. As a teen I was heavily into Asking Alexandria and Bring Me The Horizon and some really angsty, edgy stuff. Now, three of my favorite bands (A Day To Remember, Anberlin, and Rise Against) are actually not all doom and gloom (Anberlin and ADTR make some happy fucking music at times). Of course, I'm still a depressive ball of anxiety, but as I've grown older I've taken more accountability for my own thoughts and emotions, so now it's not everyone else's fault or even entirely my own fault when I feel like shit because I've grown up and realized that, well, shit happens and I should get over it. This is reflected in my preferred music pretty strongly now, just like my musical tastes have always been a reflection of myself. Pop country is still garbage though. Love ya Finn but I'ma have to respectfully disagree with you on this one.
Shit I grew up in Brooklyn ,where if you wasn’t a thug you was a pussy getting robbed by thugs and if you was a thug and someone else was also ya had to prove who was tougher gang wars etc,metal ain’t do shit like that
I can completely identify and relate with this. You look like you’re around my age Finn, I grew up listening to all the same music as you do, I also have a Hatebreed tattoo, and as I’ve gotten older, I’ve grown to love country music. It’s just so much more relatable to my life now. My wife and kids have given purpose to my life and I’m happier than I’ve ever been. Don’t get me wrong, I still listen to all the tunes I grew up on here and there but I listen to it more with a grain of salt or for nostalgia. I’ll still listen to NOFX and Propagandhi but now I proudly fly the American flag outside my house and have become pretty patriotic. I’ll still listen to Slayer and Deicide but I’ve become a born again Christian and am grateful for all the blessings in my life. I think once you get older and actually live some life, have a better understanding of how the world truly works, and figure out what you really want out of life and the things that are truly important to you; it really takes the piss out of the idealistic and superficial ideology from punk/metal/hip hop. Funny how life works sometimes. Great video, thanks Finn.
Not to be that guy, but it was obvious to me that a lot of that crap was toxic back then. Grunge was heavy in the self loathing but it was anti douchery.
My ex used to listen to country almost everyday and while I agree that it’s more wholesome than rap and metal, there are tons of “morally bankrupt” country songs that top the charts. I Hope by Gabby Barrett was dominating streaming services during the height of the pandemic. We can cherry pick toxic garbage in literally every genre, but there’s a lot of introspective rock/punk/metal artists and those are the ones who keep my interest in alternative culture alive.
Seriously did the guy even hear of bro country. Morgan Wallan is the king of the genre and he's a total piece of shit. Virtually every song includes slaming copious amounts of alcohol.
Agreed! I'm from Alberta and so I grew up hearing a lot of country music... There are definitely trashy ones out there about like, girls in short shorts, being depressed, cheating on your wife and what have you. And personally, I find a lot of punk music to be pretty uplifting - I have many punk songs about being tenacious, fighting the good fight, or just random things like jumping in a lake or riding the bus. I found them really encouraging, since I've had some tough stuff in my life. I've been weeding out songs with garbage messages since I was in high school, it's definitely a good thing to do, and while I did keep a few negative songs in my library (they're just too good musically), I can literally count them in one hand. But I don't know that I'd say any given genre is much better than the others.
Sorry but you are factually wrong, the best music genre is by far salsa: ✓Groovy af ✓Makes you wanna dance ✓Simple yet not boring harmony ✓Super catchy melodies ✓Variety of lyrics, from wacky and weird to deep and insightful
Latin music is where you go if you just don't like Americana and that corny kinda crap. Like at least instead of Travis Scott saying how he wants to fuck a girl on a motorcycle you get Rosalia talking about becoming the Motomami and ruling the world of motorcycles.
Toxic positivity. Cherry picking a mentioning a chainsaw to drive home a really weird hill to die on. That's not literal. Neither is Birthday Song. Music is about you feel. And for some of us, getting angry is a rebuttal to not being too depressed to get out of bed. I think you're being an ironic positive edge lord for clicks.
You can’t stay angry forever, and it won’t help your depression. See a psychiatrist if you haven’t- it’s a long road but it will be worth it, I promise!
@@FinnMckentyPRMBA when the system wrongs the people, they need to be angry. The anger needs to be directed though. Instead of the ex girlfriend the politician or the corporate overlord would work. Millions of angry people can make change, they just have to organize. Look at the French revolution of 1789 or the Soviet revolution of 1917. Even the American revolution was directed by anger. Mainstream music keeps people away from revolutionary attitudes. That is why the corporate overlords are trying to control music so they can brainwash people to endlessly consume and to keep them just comfortable enough so they don't fight back in any way.
I need to see a laowhy86 finn crossover. You both have asian wives get them on it too gives us a crossover!!! I could see a really cool relation. Love both of your content!
Ironically, the hottest hardcore record of these past couple years is one of the most wholesome pieces of music I’ve heard in the past few years (Turnstile- GLOW ON)
So as you previously pointed out, asking Alexandria’s vocalist Danny Worshop has done pop country solo songs, many of which are wholesome and putting one of his country songs like “I’ll hold on”compared to Not American Average which came out in 2009 (not 2013) when they were teenagers would’ve been a great example to show how perspectives change with maturity
Listening to metal is shown to relieve stress, not induce it. Sorry but your logic is a bit flawed on this one. A lot of that bro country is so bland, repetitive and just boring as hell. Country music does usual have some of the best recorded sound, and a clear and amazing mix. The session players are top notch for sure.
No disrespect no hate but this is probably it for me dude. All your content lately is just hating on punk and metal. I can’t with this. Best of luck on your new arc but this just ain’t it
Yeah it really sucks. The name of his channel is really an insult to people who like punk, and the few hard bands he listens to are terrible imo. The main reason I've continued watching is that I find a lot of his content to be entertaining and his videos are well made, but his outlook on hard music and his taste in music is just terrible. I'm definitely on the verge of unsubbing. There's so much amazing punk and metal out there and he's ignorant of it and disrespects it so often.
Honestly, I totally agree with you. I really dislike machine gun Kelly and the emo girl song, but the comments and agreement that nobody who has sound mental health would look like that or have multiple piercings is not only a gross take, but one I really don't understand from someone who apparently came from a punk background. People can like different things and not be mentally ill.
Dark and really heavy music is a release for me. When I’m not head banging I’m generally pretty mellow. I love having a place to channel my rage. I always feel completely stress free after a workout listening a heavy metal playlist. Also, most metal music musicians don’t take themselves too seriously. There is the tongue in cheek element in the best of it. As for growing out of heavy music, I’m almost 60 and every year I gravitate to heavier and darker music. Moreover, country music fans largely harken from a red state demographic I can not relate to. Daisy dukes, red hats, cowboy boots and pickups with gun racks all draped in the American flag: gag me.
@@stephenventura4075 I can’t stand bigots, racists and misogynists, particularly when their hatred is coded as patriotism. In other words I can’t stand people who can’t stand differences. I’m sure you’re the same.
@@everise3439 except what you say is hatred.. being a patriot is very rarely any of those things you mention.. sorry old fella but even traditional patriotic country music had little to do with the crap you say you hate. The best part is that your calling them haters while hating them because of the difference to you and your beliefs.
@@everise3439 i agreed with you until you stated country artists as bigots and racists. while they are a bit over-the-top eith patriotism, they aren’t racists. dont know where you got that info but that’s completely false.
I’ve been pretty resistant to pop country but it’s been growing on me. I’m really lucky to have fallen in love and married a wholesome country girl that loves this stuff, and she’s pointed out how the music I listen to has an effect on my attitude and overall mood. Turns out I have anger issues and am actively going to therapy and men’s groups to better myself as a parent and husband. Some of this stuff I still can’t stand but I’ve found some country artists I’m starting to like especially more in folk and bluegrass. I love your perspectives Finn. I found you a couple months ago and have been watching at least 3 vids of yours a day. It be cool if you could expand more on country music, like doing artist tier lists so metal heads like me can check it out because I actually value your perspectives and your one of the people helping me to get out of this rut and change my perspective. Much love and respect
Finn, please keep making content like this. I married a women who loves country and I’ve always hated it. But my opinion is starting to change. For the past 3 years we’ve been fixing up a house that we bought and talk about our future family. Honestly, it’s something I never thought I would have. As I think about it more and more I’m realizing I’m at the greatest point in my life.
I'm a stagehand in the tampa area and I worked a Kane Brown show a few weeks ago. Dude seemed surprisingly really nice, holding peoples phones to take selfies with them in the crowd, cracked jokes, smiled, just seemed like a very positive force onstage. Also his band went into this like 10 minute metal jam at the end and my dude has fuck ton of pyro for a pop country artist for some reason lol.
Dude, love your videos, and I agree with most of your takes on music, but this one? You said that "nobody gets in the band like Cannibal Corpse or Hatebreed because everything is ok" and sorry - but this is bullshit. I've played in some extreme bands, yet I'm not angry at all - actually I'd say I am the happiest man alive - I just like the energy of the music and how it sounds. And actually as my solo stuff I do acoustic singer/songwriter style love songs. It's just music, just because I play black metal and sing about eating human flesh doesn't mean I do that or even think about that kind of stuff in real life.
Appreciate the perspective. Too much cringe in the metal samples you chose. Early Swans and Sun Kil Moon (Mark Kozelek) were important to me in my mid-late 20s. Can't listen to any of that at all now that I'm in a different place. In my late 30's I've reconnected with Slipknot through We Are Not Your Kind. Corey Taylor has always been a good lyricist, but that album hits me as hard as "Eyeless" did when I was a teenager. I can't get behind the pop country stuff, it's just so transparent in its pandering. And I'm pretty certain that comes from my ingrained "alt" mentality rejecting "normie" stuff.
I get what Finn's saying. However, all this wholesome country stuff is just so bland and fucking boring. Life is good for you? Cool, write it on a fucking wall. Don't wanna hear it in my music. It's just got no substance and feels shallow. Also, pitting positives against negatives isn't fair. Someone tell me why I'm so pissed about some other dude's music taste? lmao
@@Kikko608 I can’t pin point why it upset me lol. But for me I just like angry music. It’s not about being some tough guy. I just think it sounds better. I can’t stand happy music. Maybe that’s just the elitist talking in me but I just prefer the angry stuff. Am I edgy for it? I guess. But I’m not harming anyone lol
Finn i respect your opinions on pop country. I’m from the rural south and this (and earlier versions) is feel good music I don’t listen to honestly unless I’m with family members back home, I live in Colorado Springs now. I have no issues with the music because it’s honestly better crafted songwriting than most anything else. I think some of your opinions on people who listen to hardcore well into adulthood, kind of veers into condescension though because you yourself don’t listen it in the same way as you used to. That’s fine and all but some of us managed to find that path to getting through the damage we had because of hardcore. I’ve been listening to hardcore for 20 years and it’s still the most exciting and relatable music to me because it’s where I found myself, country music is fine and all but I didn’t find out who I was because of Alan Jackson (though Alan Jackson is confirmed the best pop country artist ever.) Respect on the video and your commentary though.
I understand your overall point here and I completely respect it. I do think that it's a little deeper than messages in music though, music is a reflection of the artists surroundings and life, and those tend to hit home with the same kinds of people. So to tell miserable people who are enemies of "God and country" that are fighting their material conditions that listening to Zac Brown Band will make them feel better is kinda wild
I was invited to a Zac Brown concert last sept (Devin Dawson was opening) I can confirm it did not make me feel better, the vast opposite actually and half of the setlist were covers of bands i would have rather seen including ironically RATM.
I honestly expected this to be a tongue-in-cheek video as I didn’t think you’d be too interested in this genre. Thank you for proving me wrong! My daughter is a 23 yo country recording artist. We’re currently on tour, and she works harder than anyone I know, and I’m not being biased on that! She’s more in the rock country niche instead of straight pop country, but still, I love people like you who just love music…all of it!! We moved to LA when she was pop, but have now settled in Nashville. Even the industry execs in country are a breath of fresh air. This business is cutthroat as you know, but it’s been much better being with folks who are kinder and happier than what we previously experienced. This is coming from a woman who will always choose rock first, but appreciates everything else too. I thank you for making this video!
For me, I gravitate towards Reggae Rock as my happy music of choice. Maybe it’s cuz I’m on the west coast but country is more corny (although reggae can be too)
Reggae rock is my shit nowadays. Still love heavy shit(I have Emmure, For Today, and The Ghost Inside tats) but I love me some Iration, Tribal seeds, Pepper, and the Expendables
This is my favorite video you've ever done. Thanks for the positivity and for spotlighting the songs you did that are uplifting. Good good stuff man. I never even heard most of these songs before, and I used to tour regionally in a pop country band. haha
I respect you like crazy Finn, I’ll always respect your opinion but I can’t do country man, maybe when I get closer to your age I’ll have a change of heart haha. I’m about ten years behind you
I agree with you 100%. Maybe I should pay more attention to what I’m listening to and reach out for more wholesome messages instead of death metal all the time. Definitely an eye opener.
Country obviously does not have the anger, violence, and unpleasant imagery evoked by metal. But it does have sad undertones beyond the friendly vibes, at least to me. Makes me think of watching the sunset, with a cold beer…while knowing I will pass away soon
@@ryanlyle9201 Oh, hell listen to any Toby Keith song (Walk it off, Red Solo cup, I love this bar, Beer for my horses, Whiskey girl) and any rational person would stage an intervention for the guy.
Everyone knows the answer to “What happens if you play a Country song backwards?” A: you get your house back, your wife back, your job back, and your truck back.
country has a ton of "she cheated so i had to kill her" songs. it's pretty fond of drunk driving, and is full of aggressively pro-USA patriotism and aggressive christianity. "god, guns, and america," that's very much a violent proposition. it's just maybe on you personally aren't threatened by.
Yeah country lyrics are usually pretty good, and I’m too old to identify with the punk rock lifestyle. But the music of pop country is really stale, homogenized, unlistenable
Country music can be great, but the Genre does not just get a pass on "problematic lyrics" related to excessive drinking and partying. Yes, absolutely, there are some wholesome, inspirational songs/lyrics in Country, but far too many Country songs on the radio these days are about one thing.... drinking excessive alcohol as a solution to all of life's problems. That's great and I've done it, but many people understand the problems with promoting alcohol as the answer to everything, especially the impact it might have on those who struggle daily in these regards. Sometimes you need a song that helps you relate to life and helps you understand your own life situations. It does not need to point you towards drinking/partying as the primary reaction to all of life's problems quite so often.
The part about dealing with a breakup reminded me of an old Jared Dines’ video where he did different genre styles and post-hardcore was like, “my girlfriend broke up with me and I’m really upset about it, it was all my fault but I’m gonna blame her!” 😆
the elements in hip Hop today have always existed. there has never not been conversations about drugs, sex, drug dealing and drug usage, police and police brutality, sex, love, hurt, pain. from its inception has always been a very visible part of hip Hop then and now
as a manager at cracker barrell i hear country all day and trust me they have some pretty problematic glorification songs of particularly alcoholism,but i more or less agree allot of newer country is pretty positive , too bad i dont like the music.
I used to hate country due to stereotypes and only hearing a little. About 15 years ago I heard Eric Church and liked it. And little by little caved. Then about 5-6 years ago I listened to a playlist on Spotify called country rocks and became a fan of outlaw, country/rock. Bands like Cody Jinks, Whiskey Myers, Black Mountain Whiskey Rebellion, BlackBerry Smoke, Steel Woods, etc. I can go on and on. Really made me open my eyes to the fact that country isn’t all bro, parties, girls, trucks, insert stereotype. There’s songs about life and struggles and pain and redemption. I highly recommend everyone give a listen to these types of country artists
I've definitely branched out in kinds of music I listen to in my mid to late 30s, but pop country will never be it for me. A lot of it is so conservative and I just can't do it. Even the stuff that's not is just too corny. (The music is also... not great.) But folk and bluegrass has been hitting the spot lately. Also, I'm coming back around on ska. It's catchy, upbeat, often positive. It's a good time.
Can definitely get behind not liking the materialist culture in rap. I get why it's like that, but it's definitely something I wish more rappers would move past.
I find it only fair that , music made by more mature musicians / songwriters, overpowers the more angst-filled ''early'' works of teenagers and 20sth counterparts, who generally speaking, barely know who they are, or have much clue, what they 're doing. I'm 49 and I get your point, Finn. I feel the same. Every music addresses and is more suitable to a certain fan age group. Obviously, as we grow more mature, we outgrow a lot of the stuff, that we used to love, while we were frustrated and angry youth. Keep it up!
I feel like that's misleading. A lot of it is because country is the only genre that focuses on guitar and song. Napster meant you could only get famous with killer song writing, Nashville was the only place that figured that teams of song writers are better than individuals.
Bro I love your channel your perspective on music really opened my eyes and helped me grow as an artist not to mention this is hella entertaining keep making videos forever
So there is a good overall point here. I don’t think music is all about pure uplifting messages tho. There’s other things to consider, including artistic vision. For example, you could call cannibal corpse toxic if you wanted, and you would have a point but they creatively are a horror movie put to music. That doesn’t work any better way than how they do it. I do think the examples you gave are good ones, I used to love the acacia strain but a lot of their old stuff doesn’t do it for me anymore for the reasons you just described. I don’t think there is anything inherently wrong or even unhealthy about writing dark stuff it can be cathartic and healthy. That said I do think some of the culture and messaging can change for the better for some of the reasons you mentioned. It doesn’t all have to be negative and dark it can be fun and uplifting. I like plenty of dark music but I think I mostly identified with stuff meant to be more uplifting like hatebreed or killswitch (I know they have some darker stuff but overall…). How seriously someone takes the message is also worth considering. There is room for improvement for sure. For the record I am very happy these days and love my wife very much.
I realized a few years ago that 99% of the time, people not liking country is down to them having never actually listened to it, and just believing that that disliking it is cool. When you dig into, it’s so easy to move and hard to hate. Outstanding musicians, unparalleled songwriting, usually positive messages, and a great music culture that is very welcoming and loving, one that GENUINELY doesn’t care about race, gender, ethnicity, or whatever. They just care that you like country music.
Hey that whitechapel album was a concept album about Jack the ripper lol not a fair comparison. But pop country is just so damn fake and nothing but pandering. It is identical to modern rap for me in that it panders exactly to their audience and its not genuine or authentic at all. 90s country and outlaw country all day though.
I really, really dont agree with this. You're just assuming that if music can have positive effect it could be the opposite, based on… what? I actually think the opposite, I think music mostly have a positive effect on people, even if it’s a catharsis or jus enjoying yourself. I lack the english vocabulary to really argue with you on that but I think you are right about appreciating 'soft music' more easily when you are happy, but it really isnt the case for everybody, I wouldnt jump to conclusion with a statement such as "if it makes you happy it can make you unhappy". Apply that kind of theory to everything and you will see that it does not stand a second.
Got to be the most wholesome thing I've seen all day. Almost teared up on the song about the dad trying to do better for his son, because I am that dad myself now. It honestly puts into perspective how much we really need better messages in music in general.
Great video. Im right there with you. We're about the same age, same situation in general and the angry music isn't the same for a person after a while. It still has its place.
Metal for life, whether I'm unhappy or not, I've been a metalhead for 14 years. Metal is all I have since everyone hates me.. I don't care if I'm also a emo crybaby either, I have emotions and no one to talk to, Metal helps me to regulate my emotions..
А very fine line between intricate sarcasm and deep meaning Finn 😉. If to be serious: country also can be quite depressive and without positive attitude (J.Cash - Hurt) and any music says a lot about being human in general philosophical way. You cannot be positive all the time because this world sometimes can be a complete chaos and shit, as though you cannot hate all the time, as there are a lot of pleasure moments in life. But in spite of appealing giga chad positive messages in country pop you'll never find in it filthy breakdown with insane pig squeals and d-d-jent G low string sounds and crushing gravity blast beats on the background 😀
Look, I’m not shy when it comes to that specific large umbrella of “country” where other genres under it. After all, I know someone or another who fits just about every modern country song I’ve ever heard living in rural America. I know a lot of the music and can name a number of songs just by hearing the first few seconds. Grew up around it. Its encoded in my southern Appalachian roots. Love me some of the banjo pickin’, washboardin’, jaw harpin’, everyone gathering on the porch after a hard day’s work barefoot to hear a melody type of good times … but that is music on a separate line of country; bluegrass or old folk music. It’s country in the sense that it’s in the same room, but it gets to sit at a much cooler table compared to the my dog ran away with my girl because of my lifted Chevy’s muffler fell off when muddin’ so I must cry into my beer while waving an American flag type of country. I just can’t get into the modern stuff. I’m not trying to sound elitist, because there are some Tim McGraw and George Strait songs I love - Don’t Take The Girl, Carrying Your Love With Me. 90s hits that were modern country at the time, and you’re damn right I know every word. Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, Waylon, Haggard … classics. That type of country I will never shun as they cemented their place in music history. Modern country, though? Spare me. That’s not a knock against anyone singing country, playing the music, or generally enjoys the genre as a whole. It’s a knock against the genre itself. It’s easy to pander to for “relatability”, and for extra controversy … I’ll even say it’s one of the easiest genres to break into and go a distance in because of it. Not everyone can sing opera, rap with rhythm, sing the high notes with ease for a pop song, or harmonize beautifully for RnB and soul … but a good chunk of people _can_ sing country without much effort. Bet.
I really appreciate Finn's opening and closing analysis. Where you are in life should have an influence on the kind of music you listen to. On some level there has to be a disconnect if you are a father and a husband and you are regularly listening to The Weeknd's or Post Malone's songs about being the bad boy who has promiscuous sex with other guys' girls (Often, 92 Explorer, etc.). Seems silly to have cheating and irresponsibility on your mind when you are supposed to be an honest and mature man. Personally, as a single 29 man I still see myself as a "young", up-and-coming contender in life, still searching for my purpose. So I dig the bad boy/ young millionaire personas projected by the aforementioned artists. And when it comes to metalcore I find the lyrics of my favorite songs have to do with existentialism and finding my place in life (Veil of Maya's Pool Spray, Monument's Animus, Spiritbox's Perennial, etc.) I haven't listened to country in a while (especially after I quit drinking) but it has always been a good time. Finn hits the nail on the head by emphasizing country's positive, wholesome vibes. Personally, I enjoy 90's and 00's country. That's the sweet spot of country and pop influence before the Bro Country/Pop Country stuff. Not that the newer stuff can't be fun too. If I had to criticize country music (besides the obvious commercialization) it would be that these guys SIMP HARD. On the other hand, just like with Rom Com shows/movies, part of the enjoyment IS the fact that we know it's fiction; there is a level of separation between reality and the entertainment we consume (e.g. is your wife really going to love you and be as unconditionally loyal to you as Raftalia from Rise of Shield Hero who literally re-enslaves herself to the main character to show her devotion to him).
Can’t do it. Country music brings me back to growing up, fighting and arguing with my family. I love my family but country music doesn’t fill me with good vibes.
Country is garbage and between this and the recent blink video, I'm now understanding why I rarely agree with Finn. To each their own though, numbers don't lie
All of my friends gave me crap for joining a country band back in 2014, but the shows were just so fun that I ignored them completely. There’s a lot more musical freedom when performing it, and the people in the crowd are genuinely having a great time (most of the time). Plus it’s nice to actually get paid.
Honestly at the end of the day. I never minded the sound of country music, hell I like and play Folk Punk and the lines between that and straight country is pretty dang thin sometimes. I just hated the misogyny, racism and nationalism that has really been adapted by a lot of country post 9/11. But that being said, most other genres have that same exact problem as well.
It definitely is, and I'm really not much of a Country fan in general, but I would say one thing a lot more people need to realize is just how wide and diverse the genre actually is. I hated country until I was in my late 20's, and I still hate a lot of it, but there are some subgenres of it that are now among my favorite music. I still have to be in a certain mood to hear it, but there's something for everyone honestly. I don't like the junk that's about tractors and blue jeans, and going to the lake in a pickup truck or whatever, but I do love a lot of the more meaningful stuff that tends to relate more to relationships and love song type stuff. I guess it could be called crossover country sometimes, because a lot of it doesn't even really sound like country aside from the choice of instruments used.
I’m from West Virginia and my favorite thing to do in the world is play guitar. My uncle played in a Grand Funk Railroad cover band and my papaw Duke had taught him how to play music cause he played lap steel and fiddle. Country songs are what I’d learn and old folk and gospel songs, and I really credit it with understanding melody better than most of my friends who played in high school and as young adults. Like playing metal and hard rock, you still need a melody that catches the ear and it clever and that starts with the basics. A lot of rock and metal guitarists I’ve played with think of the riff as the riff and not a part that lives in the confines of the melody. Like they think of it like tablature and aren’t really listening to where the song is. Even though metal is my favorite genre of music it is the least fun to play.
I said it before and I have to say it again: Country is just cringy to me as a european. When I think of country, I think about farmers in the middle of nowhere a.k.a. Nebraska. Their neighbours live like 50 kilometres away from you and stuff like that. But don´t get me wrong: I agree that country pop has a positive message. But sometimes I think that they´re just trying to paint the picture of an idyllic, an ideal, a safe world. Another thing that came to mind: Finn, you´re always complaining that rock is running low on new ideas. On the other hand, you´re praising country pop and the songs you´ve presented in this video all sound the same to me. Is country pop really running high on new ideas? I don´t think so.
That's one type of country for sure, and I'm not a fan of it either. But country is a MUCH more diverse genre than a lot of people seem to realize. I'm not much of a fan of it in general, but there are some artists I really like that honestly sound almost nothing like the stereotypical country most people think of that fit what you described.
Chad pop country < Sigma late 90’s/early 00’s country 🔥 But seriously country music is great man, I prefer the old stuff but the newer more pop stuff is great too. I grew up on country, rap and metal so I have a wide music taste lol I still love metal/hardcore but I’m actively working on my terrible mental health for the first time in my life (and I’m almost 30) and honestly I just want to surround myself with more positive stuff. Id rather deal with negative emotions with some upbeat country than just stewing in my head blasting music that is just negative and makes me feel worse (yes there is a lot of positive metal but I’m generalizing. Also the negative songs can help by making you feel less alone but still). I’ll ALWAYS rock some heavy and nasty shit but sometimes it’s nice to just unwind to some chill shit. I bet you know of him but def look up Luke Combs. I love just jamming his stuff while hanging with my fiancé and my two kids. Putting my emotions into strengthening my relationship with my family has been a huge benefit for all of us. ALSO for anyone struggling, try positive self talk. I would ALWAYS say how stupid I am or say that I ruin everything but since I’ve made an active effort to actually be kind to myself and work on the negative self talk, it’s made a massive improvement. It’s wild how big of a change can come from the small things that you never really considered. It will feel super stupid and cheesy at first but trust me. My brain literally felt physically good (almost like a drug tbh) the first time that I stood up for myself from myself, it was like a rush. I as always said I’m stupid af over something small but for some reason out loud I replied “no, fuck that nonsense man. You aren’t stupid, you are human and make mistakes and that’s okay.” I know this is way too personal but I literally cried because that is the first time in almost 30 years that I can ever remember being positive toward myself. Sorry for the long comment but hopefully someone gets something positive out of this rambling lol.
Well tbh finn when you compare the worst possible outcome in one genre to the best possible outcome in a completely different genre yes one is going to look better than the other but i will say in my 24 years of life some of the most sad and demeaning people i've ever met are the ones who listen to nothing but country and let that define their entire life and some of the nicest people i've ever met are in the metal scene they've always been very welcoming and caring IN MY EXPERIENCE obviously i don't speak for everyone when i say that now that being said i do listen to both metal and country and just about everything and i was even talking with one of my buddies how we used to listen to alot of alternative music and how it's really gone downhilll in the last 10-15 years basically the message of this video should've been "listen to what you want but don't let the music define who you are or your outlook on life"
I would like to add that i have met metalheads who can be some of the most miserable people on earth and i have met some country folk who are some of the nicest helpful and charasmatic people that never judged me despite being complete bi-polar opposites i just don't like the whole "this is bad and this is good" bullshit it's very old and overrated
Lots of that old country is literally getting drunk to blackout and your wife leaving you divorce, beating your wife, death of dogs, it was called White People Blues for a reason.
I was with you right up until the “Emo Girl” example. I’m no MGK fan, but I didn’t expect to hear you being so shitty about women who choose to express themselves through an unconventional style. There’s nothing wrong with women not wanting to have babies and calling people who have difficult parental relationships “damaged” is highly stigmatising.
While I'll never judge someone else's tastes, pop country is my absolute least favorite genre. There's plenty of positive vibey music I like, pop country just isn't it for me. I don't hate pop itself that much though. In general I get irritated as soon as i start hearing a twang in the vocals, not sure why that is
There's a time and place for everything. When my husband and I were weeding the backyard and cooking dinner together we listened to country. When Roe v Wade was being overturned I listed to metalcore and alt pop. When I drive around with my girlfriends we listen to girlie pop and high school top 20 radio throwbacks. I believe that music and art is there for that exact purpose. No use in not experiencing it to the fullest.
I agree with the overall sentiment but the cherry picking here is extreme lol. I'm not woke, pc, an SJW, or any of those other terms, but country fans are some of the most exclusionary, sexist, and racist people I've ever met to the point where big country artists like Luke Bryant have gone on record saying that it's a huge problem in the genre. And on the flipside of Asking Alexandria calling women whores you have bands like August Burns Red who has made an entire career of cultivating a positive and uplifting atmosphere. Again, if I had to pick a side I would lean towards Finn's POV but there was just a lot of cherry picking here. You don't have to change genre, just change the artists you listen to if you think it's a problem.
Finn? Cherry picking to make a point? Oh he'd never, lol... J/k he always does it, it's annoying. Like picking all of the worst metal bands to make a point about how bad they are.
Many death metal lovers are super sweet, good people too. It's about finding an outlet for those emotions. To say liking death metal makes you "probably toxic" is just wrong and furthers the stigma. Music is music. People like what they like
I listen to a lot of pop and deathcore, however I can't get into it this type of music, since it's so cheesy, like if I was lactose intolerant, this type of music would give me indigestion 😅
@@ptr_grin I have nothing against any type of music, but I myself have never been able to get into any genre that is so sappy and on the nose with it's lyrics, it's a little too cringe for me, but I have nothing against the artist or people who choose to partake in that form of music.
Luke Combs is such an amazing musician. My Wife and I love his music. I know Post Malone has been playing music for a long time in many different genres and I would love to here him make a country record.
You can make this type of video with every genre except metal. That's saying something in itself. Fun and truthful video that I'm sure hurt some folks but those are the ones that needed it. If you were hurt by this video it's time to make a change.
I’m a metal guy who also likes country, but I ain’t listening to stuff like Florida Georgia Line, Sam Hunt, or Kane Brown. I have no issue with how popular they are, I like popular artists such as Jason Aldean or Eric Church. I just don’t believe rap beats belong in any country music. When you see certain country artists live, it’s impressive how many musicians they’ll bring on stage to play different instruments. With those first three artists I mentioned? They can’t do that because half of it is electronic. Edit: I also saw Kane Brown live with Jason Aldean and lost a lot of respect for the guy when he started talking and had literally no southern accent at all despite having a very thick one when he sings. It’s all an act and I just find that scummy.
Come hang out on Twitch! www.twitch.tv/finnmckenty
Thanks finn! I was asking for this a few videos ago!
Hey Finn, have you ever heard of Lucero? Ben Nichols is a great songwriter. and really has been putting in the ground work for 20+ years,
I like some country music. My family is Appalachia country. I'm not a cowboy but I can shoot a squirrel in a pine tree blind folded. But I prefer Euro metal it makes me feel sophisticated, and I can except my crazy side.😎
Thank you Finn to introduce me to Hatebreed :)
Your best video to date. As a 37 year old father of two boys, married to the love of my life and someone who has listened to hardcore/punk since about 5th grade I love country music. I still skateboard and blast metal for my boys in the minivan from time to time. Being happy is great. More people should try it.
I always loved Ramones misfits and like any Ramonescore band lol but also loved Hank Sr. and never thought that was weird
"Awlful words that I don't wanna repeat" Best Quote Ever! LMAO
I have had multiple therapists over the years telling me to stop listening to Metal. They're no longer in my life and I haven't been happier!
Hey man sorry to hear about that. Hope you got through whatever you were going through. Does the therapist not understand that we listen to metal because we enjoy it and relieves the stress of everyday life.
"we've all had a break up"
bro, your audience is metal nerds. that's a big assumption
Touche
He can only shit on metal and metal heads and punk for so long before that's not his audience anymore. It's not like a jab or a ribbing here and there, it's beyond that. Good luck to Finn in his new direction though, because he's definitely choosing a different path.
@@xenos_n. 😪😪😪😪😪😪😪
I still listen to punk but I never really liked the really angry nihilistic punk like pistols or dead Kennedys I liked melodies and love songs or just I'm lonely songs which country has too
This one, officer. This one right here.
EDIT: I actually love your perspective, Finn, even if you gravitate to a lot of the country I don't love. For me, I just wanna BELIEVE the artists (and I tend to like songs that reflect real life, as it is, rather than have an overly idealized outlook on how life should be, but I'm also a sadboi), so some of the Disneyfied values in these songs/art feel so fake to me when we have heard the artists' former discography of douchebag bro anthems, and now they're singing wedding songs. Country is special to me because it can be raw, funny, edgy, and just reflect reality, so I actually love artists like Zach Bryan and Miranda Lambert who have much more dubious morality in their songs.
And tbh it's prob also true that that we are overly steeped in our respective genres we cover, so we look waaaaay less critically (and more fondly) at other genres. That's why Jxdn is my fave rock artist of right now.😂
Anyway, I still support your normie journey! Love how open you are to changing. You're an artist yourself, my friend!
This is the collab we all need
The Virgin Music commenter himself appears.
Big fan of Grady's videos! I've learned a lot from them!
@@FinnMckentyPRMBA all you learn from Grady is how too be a sadboi. Country Central. Way way better.
@@redneckreviews3016 Okay but don't watch Country Central's most recent interview then 😅
I still can’t stand most of this stuff honestly. I grew up in a small rural town where everyone listens to this and maybe Finn doesn’t quite get it being from the northwest but the lyrics are super pandering to a certain type of person who maybe grew up too fast, never left their hometown and probably had kids too early. This is just feel good cope music for them.
...tea.
I agree and alot of this stuff also promote alcoholism shamelessly. I work in construction with people who listen to country all the time. They still go to strip clubs and have on multiple occasions cheated on their significant other. Talking about morals and having them are two different things.
@@orrfannut9527 It’s kinda crazy to me how people from parts of the country that are known for strict religion can contradict their own values so much.
The whole point is “grew up too fast, never left their hometown, had kids too early” is totally subjective and maybe that whole thing isn’t so bad. Wouldn’t it be nice to be content with that?? It’s not for me, but I envy people that can enjoy that
Beers and sunshine
My man moved out to the suburbs and starts praising country and complaining about rap being about drugs and sex.
Your man needs to fix his ears and hear how many country songs promote alcoholism.
I agree with the point you made about Rock and metal and heavier music having a tendency to promote toxic behaviors. As a teen I was heavily into Asking Alexandria and Bring Me The Horizon and some really angsty, edgy stuff. Now, three of my favorite bands (A Day To Remember, Anberlin, and Rise Against) are actually not all doom and gloom (Anberlin and ADTR make some happy fucking music at times). Of course, I'm still a depressive ball of anxiety, but as I've grown older I've taken more accountability for my own thoughts and emotions, so now it's not everyone else's fault or even entirely my own fault when I feel like shit because I've grown up and realized that, well, shit happens and I should get over it. This is reflected in my preferred music pretty strongly now, just like my musical tastes have always been a reflection of myself.
Pop country is still garbage though. Love ya Finn but I'ma have to respectfully disagree with you on this one.
Shit I grew up in Brooklyn ,where if you wasn’t a thug you was a pussy getting robbed by thugs and if you was a thug and someone else was also ya had to prove who was tougher gang wars etc,metal ain’t do shit like that
I can completely identify and relate with this. You look like you’re around my age Finn, I grew up listening to all the same music as you do, I also have a Hatebreed tattoo, and as I’ve gotten older, I’ve grown to love country music. It’s just so much more relatable to my life now. My wife and kids have given purpose to my life and I’m happier than I’ve ever been.
Don’t get me wrong, I still listen to all the tunes I grew up on here and there but I listen to it more with a grain of salt or for nostalgia.
I’ll still listen to NOFX and Propagandhi but now I proudly fly the American flag outside my house and have become pretty patriotic.
I’ll still listen to Slayer and Deicide but I’ve become a born again Christian and am grateful for all the blessings in my life.
I think once you get older and actually live some life, have a better understanding of how the world truly works, and figure out what you really want out of life and the things that are truly important to you; it really takes the piss out of the idealistic and superficial ideology from punk/metal/hip hop.
Funny how life works sometimes. Great video, thanks Finn.
👏🏼👏🏼
Not to be that guy, but it was obvious to me that a lot of that crap was toxic back then. Grunge was heavy in the self loathing but it was anti douchery.
My ex used to listen to country almost everyday and while I agree that it’s more wholesome than rap and metal, there are tons of “morally bankrupt” country songs that top the charts. I Hope by Gabby Barrett was dominating streaming services during the height of the pandemic. We can cherry pick toxic garbage in literally every genre, but there’s a lot of introspective rock/punk/metal artists and those are the ones who keep my interest in alternative culture alive.
There’s good and bad in every music genre, but to say Country is totally wholesome? 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I swear Reba and Anne Wilson are the only healthy women in country. It’s wild how hostile women in country can be. I don’t see that in other genres.
Seriously did the guy even hear of bro country. Morgan Wallan is the king of the genre and he's a total piece of shit. Virtually every song includes slaming copious amounts of alcohol.
Agreed! I'm from Alberta and so I grew up hearing a lot of country music... There are definitely trashy ones out there about like, girls in short shorts, being depressed, cheating on your wife and what have you. And personally, I find a lot of punk music to be pretty uplifting - I have many punk songs about being tenacious, fighting the good fight, or just random things like jumping in a lake or riding the bus. I found them really encouraging, since I've had some tough stuff in my life. I've been weeding out songs with garbage messages since I was in high school, it's definitely a good thing to do, and while I did keep a few negative songs in my library (they're just too good musically), I can literally count them in one hand. But I don't know that I'd say any given genre is much better than the others.
@@aerialpunk Out of curiosity, what are the handful of negative but musically good songs you have kept around?
Sorry but you are factually wrong, the best music genre is by far salsa:
✓Groovy af
✓Makes you wanna dance
✓Simple yet not boring harmony
✓Super catchy melodies
✓Variety of lyrics, from wacky and weird to deep and insightful
The only genre better than our sacred guitar music
Latin music is where you go if you just don't like Americana and that corny kinda crap. Like at least instead of Travis Scott saying how he wants to fuck a girl on a motorcycle you get Rosalia talking about becoming the Motomami and ruling the world of motorcycles.
Funk is the most superior genre! Reggae comes pretty close. But i do really like latin music too 💃👏
Salsa taste good too and it is danceable \m/
No, I think it Cumbia, particularly Colombian Cumbia.
Toxic positivity. Cherry picking a mentioning a chainsaw to drive home a really weird hill to die on. That's not literal. Neither is Birthday Song. Music is about you feel. And for some of us, getting angry is a rebuttal to not being too depressed to get out of bed. I think you're being an ironic positive edge lord for clicks.
You can’t stay angry forever, and it won’t help your depression. See a psychiatrist if you haven’t- it’s a long road but it will be worth it, I promise!
@@FinnMckentyPRMBA when the system wrongs the people, they need to be angry. The anger needs to be directed though. Instead of the ex girlfriend the politician or the corporate overlord would work. Millions of angry people can make change, they just have to organize. Look at the French revolution of 1789 or the Soviet revolution of 1917. Even the American revolution was directed by anger. Mainstream music keeps people away from revolutionary attitudes. That is why the corporate overlords are trying to control music so they can brainwash people to endlessly consume and to keep them just comfortable enough so they don't fight back in any way.
This was a challenging take, and I came out the other end completely agreeing with you.
@laowhy86 Did you ever meet any fans of pop county in China?
I need to see a laowhy86 finn crossover. You both have asian wives get them on it too gives us a crossover!!! I could see a really cool relation. Love both of your content!
Ironically, the hottest hardcore record of these past couple years is one of the most wholesome pieces of music I’ve heard in the past few years (Turnstile- GLOW ON)
What are their lyrics even about? I’ve listened to them for a decade and the only one i know is “death grip” which is not very nice
@- Nobody’s going around analyzing the lyrics of HOLIDAY, their new music just radiates so many good vibes.
@@benkenobi567 that’s not Finn’s point though.
So as you previously pointed out, asking Alexandria’s vocalist Danny Worshop has done pop country solo songs, many of which are wholesome and putting one of his country songs like “I’ll hold on”compared to Not American Average which came out in 2009 (not 2013) when they were teenagers would’ve been a great example to show how perspectives change with maturity
Listening to metal is shown to relieve stress, not induce it. Sorry but your logic is a bit flawed on this one. A lot of that bro country is so bland, repetitive and just boring as hell. Country music does usual have some of the best recorded sound, and a clear and amazing mix. The session players are top notch for sure.
No disrespect no hate but this is probably it for me dude. All your content lately is just hating on punk and metal. I can’t with this. Best of luck on your new arc but this just ain’t it
Yeah it really sucks. The name of his channel is really an insult to people who like punk, and the few hard bands he listens to are terrible imo. The main reason I've continued watching is that I find a lot of his content to be entertaining and his videos are well made, but his outlook on hard music and his taste in music is just terrible. I'm definitely on the verge of unsubbing. There's so much amazing punk and metal out there and he's ignorant of it and disrespects it so often.
This video proved Corey Taylor right when he said metal doesn't get the respect it deserves.
And he is always full of hate when it comes to European artists... I mean why? He has never been to one of the 47 countries of Europe
Honestly, I totally agree with you. I really dislike machine gun Kelly and the emo girl song, but the comments and agreement that nobody who has sound mental health would look like that or have multiple piercings is not only a gross take, but one I really don't understand from someone who apparently came from a punk background. People can like different things and not be mentally ill.
Pop-punk culture: I know she's 15 right now, but she'll be 16 one day.
Dark and really heavy music is a release for me. When I’m not head banging I’m generally pretty mellow. I love having a place to channel my rage. I always feel completely stress free after a workout listening a heavy metal playlist. Also, most metal music musicians don’t take themselves too seriously. There is the tongue in cheek element in the best of it. As for growing out of heavy music, I’m almost 60 and every year I gravitate to heavier and darker music. Moreover, country music fans largely harken from a red state demographic I can not relate to. Daisy dukes, red hats, cowboy boots and pickups with gun racks all draped in the American flag: gag me.
Sounds like somebody cant stand differences
@@stephenventura4075 I can’t stand bigots, racists and misogynists, particularly when their hatred is coded as patriotism. In other words I can’t stand people who can’t stand differences. I’m sure you’re the same.
@@everise3439 except what you say is hatred.. being a patriot is very rarely any of those things you mention.. sorry old fella but even traditional patriotic country music had little to do with the crap you say you hate.
The best part is that your calling them haters while hating them because of the difference to you and your beliefs.
@@racer193wr anyway, to be fair, country music itself and most country music musicians aren’t responsible for the schisms in the US today.
@@everise3439 i agreed with you until you stated country artists as bigots and racists. while they are a bit over-the-top eith patriotism, they aren’t racists. dont know where you got that info but that’s completely false.
I’ve been pretty resistant to pop country but it’s been growing on me. I’m really lucky to have fallen in love and married a wholesome country girl that loves this stuff, and she’s pointed out how the music I listen to has an effect on my attitude and overall mood. Turns out I have anger issues and am actively going to therapy and men’s groups to better myself as a parent and husband. Some of this stuff I still can’t stand but I’ve found some country artists I’m starting to like especially more in folk and bluegrass. I love your perspectives Finn. I found you a couple months ago and have been watching at least 3 vids of yours a day. It be cool if you could expand more on country music, like doing artist tier lists so metal heads like me can check it out because I actually value your perspectives and your one of the people helping me to get out of this rut and change my perspective. Much love and respect
90's country is my true guilty pleasure. Prop me up beside a jukebox when I die....while wearing a rad metalcore band shirt.
Finn, please keep making content like this. I married a women who loves country and I’ve always hated it. But my opinion is starting to change. For the past 3 years we’ve been fixing up a house that we bought and talk about our future family. Honestly, it’s something I never thought I would have. As I think about it more and more I’m realizing I’m at the greatest point in my life.
Congratulations man!
I'm at the best point I been in probably and things Still suck. Wtf
Like wise man!
"Fellas is it gay to like women?" 😂😂best comment. This is my favorite video and take so far. Thank you for sharing this!
Finns the guy in the passenger seat that says he listens to everything but will judge whatever you pick. All love lol.
Trust me I could not possibly care less about the music anyone listens to
@@FinnMckentyPRMBA I know, I appreciate your hot takes on it all.
I'm a stagehand in the tampa area and I worked a Kane Brown show a few weeks ago. Dude seemed surprisingly really nice, holding peoples phones to take selfies with them in the crowd, cracked jokes, smiled, just seemed like a very positive force onstage. Also his band went into this like 10 minute metal jam at the end and my dude has fuck ton of pyro for a pop country artist for some reason lol.
Always a pleasure to see a fellow stagehand! Best of luck through festival season!
Dude, love your videos, and I agree with most of your takes on music, but this one? You said that "nobody gets in the band like Cannibal Corpse or Hatebreed because everything is ok" and sorry - but this is bullshit. I've played in some extreme bands, yet I'm not angry at all - actually I'd say I am the happiest man alive - I just like the energy of the music and how it sounds. And actually as my solo stuff I do acoustic singer/songwriter style love songs. It's just music, just because I play black metal and sing about eating human flesh doesn't mean I do that or even think about that kind of stuff in real life.
Appreciate the perspective. Too much cringe in the metal samples you chose.
Early Swans and Sun Kil Moon (Mark Kozelek) were important to me in my mid-late 20s. Can't listen to any of that at all now that I'm in a different place.
In my late 30's I've reconnected with Slipknot through We Are Not Your Kind. Corey Taylor has always been a good lyricist, but that album hits me as hard as "Eyeless" did when I was a teenager.
I can't get behind the pop country stuff, it's just so transparent in its pandering. And I'm pretty certain that comes from my ingrained "alt" mentality rejecting "normie" stuff.
Being a normie or having a normal happy life isn't a bad thing
Neither is being alt and wanting to love the "rockstar" life.
What is good and what is bad anyway?
@@Notyourbis True. Good is whatever you enjoy.
I get what Finn's saying. However, all this wholesome country stuff is just so bland and fucking boring. Life is good for you? Cool, write it on a fucking wall. Don't wanna hear it in my music. It's just got no substance and feels shallow.
Also, pitting positives against negatives isn't fair.
Someone tell me why I'm so pissed about some other dude's music taste? lmao
It pissed me off too lol.
@@buttermybuns9529 Something about this just rubbed me the wrong way.
@@Kikko608 I can’t pin point why it upset me lol. But for me I just like angry music. It’s not about being some tough guy. I just think it sounds better. I can’t stand happy music. Maybe that’s just the elitist talking in me but I just prefer the angry stuff. Am I edgy for it? I guess. But I’m not harming anyone lol
I listen to dark music because it allows me to release my rage. The result is I’m pretty mellow to be around. Country makes me gag.
I feel ya! Clearly I can see why darker music is more respected than some bland “positive” music.
Finn i respect your opinions on pop country. I’m from the rural south and this (and earlier versions) is feel good music I don’t listen to honestly unless I’m with family members back home, I live in Colorado Springs now. I have no issues with the music because it’s honestly better crafted songwriting than most anything else.
I think some of your opinions on people who listen to hardcore well into adulthood, kind of veers into condescension though because you yourself don’t listen it in the same way as you used to. That’s fine and all but some of us managed to find that path to getting through the damage we had because of hardcore. I’ve been listening to hardcore for 20 years and it’s still the most exciting and relatable music to me because it’s where I found myself, country music is fine and all but I didn’t find out who I was because of Alan Jackson (though Alan Jackson is confirmed the best pop country artist ever.)
Respect on the video and your commentary though.
I understand your overall point here and I completely respect it. I do think that it's a little deeper than messages in music though, music is a reflection of the artists surroundings and life, and those tend to hit home with the same kinds of people. So to tell miserable people who are enemies of "God and country" that are fighting their material conditions that listening to Zac Brown Band will make them feel better is kinda wild
Zac brown band is mainly happy though, They do have a few sad songs though.
I was invited to a Zac Brown concert last sept (Devin Dawson was opening)
I can confirm it did not make me feel better, the vast opposite actually and half of the setlist were covers of bands i would have rather seen including ironically RATM.
@@RIPdixiecarter Doubt it. You're just trying to be edgy.
I honestly expected this to be a tongue-in-cheek video as I didn’t think you’d be too interested in this genre. Thank you for proving me wrong!
My daughter is a 23 yo country recording artist. We’re currently on tour, and she works harder than anyone I know, and I’m not being biased on that!
She’s more in the rock country niche instead of straight pop country, but still, I love people like you who just love music…all of it!!
We moved to LA when she was pop, but have now settled in Nashville. Even the industry execs in country are a breath of fresh air. This business is cutthroat as you know, but it’s been much better being with folks who are kinder and happier than what we previously experienced.
This is coming from a woman who will always choose rock first, but appreciates everything else too.
I thank you for making this video!
Thank you for watching!
@@FinnMckentyPRMBA I always do! Even when you rag on Deftones, haha j/k 😜
For me, I gravitate towards Reggae Rock as my happy music of choice. Maybe it’s cuz I’m on the west coast but country is more corny (although reggae can be too)
Reggae rock is my shit nowadays. Still love heavy shit(I have Emmure, For Today, and The Ghost Inside tats) but I love me some Iration, Tribal seeds, Pepper, and the Expendables
The Dirty Heads album Cabin By The Sea is my happy music.
Hell yeah! 311 is one of the best bands ever. Slightly Stoopid rocks too.
311 and sugar ray all day
This is my favorite video you've ever done. Thanks for the positivity and for spotlighting the songs you did that are uplifting. Good good stuff man. I never even heard most of these songs before, and I used to tour regionally in a pop country band. haha
ironically the bassist for a deathcore band (Shadow of the Colossus) now is a popular pop country artist: check him out he's Devin Dawson
Finn, I LOVED this video. I kinda knew I would just from the title. Time to go dive into some country. haha! Love all your points.
I respect you like crazy Finn, I’ll always respect your opinion but I can’t do country man, maybe when I get closer to your age I’ll have a change of heart haha. I’m about ten years behind you
I agree with you 100%. Maybe I should pay more attention to what I’m listening to and reach out for more wholesome messages instead of death metal all the time. Definitely an eye opener.
Country obviously does not have the anger, violence, and unpleasant imagery evoked by metal.
But it does have sad undertones beyond the friendly vibes, at least to me. Makes me think of watching the sunset, with a cold beer…while knowing I will pass away soon
“She Broke My Heart, I Broke Her Jaw” is a good country tune if you want violence.
@@ryanlyle9201 Oh, hell listen to any Toby Keith song (Walk it off, Red Solo cup, I love this bar, Beer for my horses, Whiskey girl) and any rational person would stage an intervention for the guy.
Everyone knows the answer to “What happens if you play a Country song backwards?”
A: you get your house back, your wife back, your job back, and your truck back.
country has a ton of "she cheated so i had to kill her" songs. it's pretty fond of drunk driving, and is full of aggressively pro-USA patriotism and aggressive christianity. "god, guns, and america," that's very much a violent proposition. it's just maybe on you personally aren't threatened by.
Yeah country lyrics are usually pretty good, and I’m too old to identify with the punk rock lifestyle. But the music of pop country is really stale, homogenized, unlistenable
The Country Rock MBA
Country music can be great, but the Genre does not just get a pass on "problematic lyrics" related to excessive drinking and partying. Yes, absolutely, there are some wholesome, inspirational songs/lyrics in Country, but far too many Country songs on the radio these days are about one thing.... drinking excessive alcohol as a solution to all of life's problems.
That's great and I've done it, but many people understand the problems with promoting alcohol as the answer to everything, especially the impact it might have on those who struggle daily in these regards. Sometimes you need a song that helps you relate to life and helps you understand your own life situations. It does not need to point you towards drinking/partying as the primary reaction to all of life's problems quite so often.
The part about dealing with a breakup reminded me of an old Jared Dines’ video where he did different genre styles and post-hardcore was like, “my girlfriend broke up with me and I’m really upset about it, it was all my fault but I’m gonna blame her!” 😆
I will jump out of a moving car if country comes on the radio.
the elements in hip Hop today have always existed. there has never not been conversations about drugs, sex, drug dealing and drug usage, police and police brutality, sex, love, hurt, pain. from its inception has always been a very visible part of hip Hop then and now
I'm here for this blessed normie goodness. Give me that steady happy life.
as a manager at cracker barrell i hear country all day and trust me they have some pretty problematic glorification songs of particularly alcoholism,but i more or less agree allot of newer country is pretty positive , too bad i dont like the music.
I used to hate country due to stereotypes and only hearing a little. About 15 years ago I heard Eric Church and liked it. And little by little caved. Then about 5-6 years ago I listened to a playlist on Spotify called country rocks and became a fan of outlaw, country/rock. Bands like Cody Jinks, Whiskey Myers, Black Mountain Whiskey Rebellion, BlackBerry Smoke, Steel Woods, etc. I can go on and on. Really made me open my eyes to the fact that country isn’t all bro, parties, girls, trucks, insert stereotype. There’s songs about life and struggles and pain and redemption. I highly recommend everyone give a listen to these types of country artists
Steve Earle was the one who turned me on to the outlaw/alt-country scene and it's the best
@@dustywaynemusic6297 I like him a lot too. Discovered him a bit after Church. I love it. Definitely one of my favorite genres
I've definitely branched out in kinds of music I listen to in my mid to late 30s, but pop country will never be it for me. A lot of it is so conservative and I just can't do it. Even the stuff that's not is just too corny. (The music is also... not great.) But folk and bluegrass has been hitting the spot lately. Also, I'm coming back around on ska. It's catchy, upbeat, often positive. It's a good time.
Can definitely get behind not liking the materialist culture in rap. I get why it's like that, but it's definitely something I wish more rappers would move past.
FINN FINN FINN. When will we get your boyfriend country project?
Unlike metal, it takes a lot of talent to play pop country and I am not that good!
I really enjoy 20s-50s bluegrass/country but I don't like most modern day country. Great video as always
I find it only fair that , music made by more mature musicians / songwriters, overpowers the more angst-filled ''early'' works of teenagers and 20sth counterparts, who generally speaking, barely know who they are, or have much clue, what they 're doing. I'm 49 and I get your point, Finn. I feel the same. Every music addresses and is more suitable to a certain fan age group. Obviously, as we grow more mature, we outgrow a lot of the stuff, that we used to love, while we were frustrated and angry youth. Keep it up!
I feel like that's misleading. A lot of it is because country is the only genre that focuses on guitar and song. Napster meant you could only get famous with killer song writing, Nashville was the only place that figured that teams of song writers are better than individuals.
Your so right about questioning everything it’s one of those things people say but very rarely do.
I love how Finn is giving a deep introspective view on country music and the chat is just singing Garth Brooks songs.
Bro I love your channel your perspective on music really opened my eyes and helped me grow as an artist not to mention this is hella entertaining keep making videos forever
Thank you!
I absolutely love this content. I really appreciate it when you bring up topics like this.
So there is a good overall point here. I don’t think music is all about pure uplifting messages tho. There’s other things to consider, including artistic vision. For example, you could call cannibal corpse toxic if you wanted, and you would have a point but they creatively are a horror movie put to music. That doesn’t work any better way than how they do it. I do think the examples you gave are good ones, I used to love the acacia strain but a lot of their old stuff doesn’t do it for me anymore for the reasons you just described. I don’t think there is anything inherently wrong or even unhealthy about writing dark stuff it can be cathartic and healthy. That said I do think some of the culture and messaging can change for the better for some of the reasons you mentioned. It doesn’t all have to be negative and dark it can be fun and uplifting. I like plenty of dark music but I think I mostly identified with stuff meant to be more uplifting like hatebreed or killswitch (I know they have some darker stuff but overall…). How seriously someone takes the message is also worth considering. There is room for improvement for sure. For the record I am very happy these days and love my wife very much.
I realized a few years ago that 99% of the time, people not liking country is down to them having never actually listened to it, and just believing that that disliking it is cool. When you dig into, it’s so easy to move and hard to hate. Outstanding musicians, unparalleled songwriting, usually positive messages, and a great music culture that is very welcoming and loving, one that GENUINELY doesn’t care about race, gender, ethnicity, or whatever. They just care that you like country music.
@@KasCalwein what a hilariously ironic comment
Hey that whitechapel album was a concept album about Jack the ripper lol not a fair comparison. But pop country is just so damn fake and nothing but pandering. It is identical to modern rap for me in that it panders exactly to their audience and its not genuine or authentic at all. 90s country and outlaw country all day though.
This is why I want to start a new genre called LifeCore
I really, really dont agree with this. You're just assuming that if music can have positive effect it could be the opposite, based on… what? I actually think the opposite, I think music mostly have a positive effect on people, even if it’s a catharsis or jus enjoying yourself. I lack the english vocabulary to really argue with you on that but I think you are right about appreciating 'soft music' more easily when you are happy, but it really isnt the case for everybody, I wouldnt jump to conclusion with a statement such as "if it makes you happy it can make you unhappy". Apply that kind of theory to everything and you will see that it does not stand a second.
Got to be the most wholesome thing I've seen all day. Almost teared up on the song about the dad trying to do better for his son, because I am that dad myself now. It honestly puts into perspective how much we really need better messages in music in general.
Hmm, first being pro military and now pro country. Better sell that house and move to a red state soon!
Great video. Im right there with you. We're about the same age, same situation in general and the angry music isn't the same for a person after a while. It still has its place.
Metal for life, whether I'm unhappy or not, I've been a metalhead for 14 years. Metal is all I have since everyone hates me.. I don't care if I'm also a emo crybaby either, I have emotions and no one to talk to, Metal helps me to regulate my emotions..
А very fine line between intricate sarcasm and deep meaning Finn 😉. If to be serious: country also can be quite depressive and without positive attitude (J.Cash - Hurt) and any music says a lot about being human in general philosophical way. You cannot be positive all the time because this world sometimes can be a complete chaos and shit, as though you cannot hate all the time, as there are a lot of pleasure moments in life. But in spite of appealing giga chad positive messages in country pop you'll never find in it filthy breakdown with insane pig squeals and d-d-jent G low string sounds and crushing gravity blast beats on the background 😀
Example you gave us a Nine Inch Nails cover, not a Cash original.
This is just formulaic pop for bumkin folk that never left home and got married at 18
Look, I’m not shy when it comes to that specific large umbrella of “country” where other genres under it. After all, I know someone or another who fits just about every modern country song I’ve ever heard living in rural America. I know a lot of the music and can name a number of songs just by hearing the first few seconds. Grew up around it.
Its encoded in my southern Appalachian roots.
Love me some of the banjo pickin’, washboardin’, jaw harpin’, everyone gathering on the porch after a hard day’s work barefoot to hear a melody type of good times … but that is music on a separate line of country; bluegrass or old folk music. It’s country in the sense that it’s in the same room, but it gets to sit at a much cooler table compared to the my dog ran away with my girl because of my lifted Chevy’s muffler fell off when muddin’ so I must cry into my beer while waving an American flag type of country.
I just can’t get into the modern stuff. I’m not trying to sound elitist, because there are some Tim McGraw and George Strait songs I love - Don’t Take The Girl, Carrying Your Love With Me. 90s hits that were modern country at the time, and you’re damn right I know every word.
Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, Waylon, Haggard … classics. That type of country I will never shun as they cemented their place in music history.
Modern country, though? Spare me.
That’s not a knock against anyone singing country, playing the music, or generally enjoys the genre as a whole. It’s a knock against the genre itself. It’s easy to pander to for “relatability”, and for extra controversy … I’ll even say it’s one of the easiest genres to break into and go a distance in because of it. Not everyone can sing opera, rap with rhythm, sing the high notes with ease for a pop song, or harmonize beautifully for RnB and soul … but a good chunk of people _can_ sing country without much effort. Bet.
I really appreciate Finn's opening and closing analysis. Where you are in life should have an influence on the kind of music you listen to. On some level there has to be a disconnect if you are a father and a husband and you are regularly listening to The Weeknd's or Post Malone's songs about being the bad boy who has promiscuous sex with other guys' girls (Often, 92 Explorer, etc.). Seems silly to have cheating and irresponsibility on your mind when you are supposed to be an honest and mature man.
Personally, as a single 29 man I still see myself as a "young", up-and-coming contender in life, still searching for my purpose. So I dig the bad boy/ young millionaire personas projected by the aforementioned artists. And when it comes to metalcore I find the lyrics of my favorite songs have to do with existentialism and finding my place in life (Veil of Maya's Pool Spray, Monument's Animus, Spiritbox's Perennial, etc.)
I haven't listened to country in a while (especially after I quit drinking) but it has always been a good time. Finn hits the nail on the head by emphasizing country's positive, wholesome vibes. Personally, I enjoy 90's and 00's country. That's the sweet spot of country and pop influence before the Bro Country/Pop Country stuff. Not that the newer stuff can't be fun too.
If I had to criticize country music (besides the obvious commercialization) it would be that these guys SIMP HARD. On the other hand, just like with Rom Com shows/movies, part of the enjoyment IS the fact that we know it's fiction; there is a level of separation between reality and the entertainment we consume (e.g. is your wife really going to love you and be as unconditionally loyal to you as Raftalia from Rise of Shield Hero who literally re-enslaves herself to the main character to show her devotion to him).
Good thoughts, thank you!
Can’t do it. Country music brings me back to growing up, fighting and arguing with my family. I love my family but country music doesn’t fill me with good vibes.
Country is garbage and between this and the recent blink video, I'm now understanding why I rarely agree with Finn. To each their own though, numbers don't lie
5:29 legit thought “Serj! What have you done!?” 😂🤣
Lmao
All of my friends gave me crap for joining a country band back in 2014, but the shows were just so fun that I ignored them completely. There’s a lot more musical freedom when performing it, and the people in the crowd are genuinely having a great time (most of the time). Plus it’s nice to actually get paid.
Your friends are dorks 🤠
Same. Country shows are a blast.
Honestly at the end of the day. I never minded the sound of country music, hell I like and play Folk Punk and the lines between that and straight country is pretty dang thin sometimes. I just hated the misogyny, racism and nationalism that has really been adapted by a lot of country post 9/11. But that being said, most other genres have that same exact problem as well.
Yeah people like Adam Calhoun ruin it for the good artists
*god the Walmart country is just so boring but to each their own*
It definitely is, and I'm really not much of a Country fan in general, but I would say one thing a lot more people need to realize is just how wide and diverse the genre actually is. I hated country until I was in my late 20's, and I still hate a lot of it, but there are some subgenres of it that are now among my favorite music. I still have to be in a certain mood to hear it, but there's something for everyone honestly. I don't like the junk that's about tractors and blue jeans, and going to the lake in a pickup truck or whatever, but I do love a lot of the more meaningful stuff that tends to relate more to relationships and love song type stuff. I guess it could be called crossover country sometimes, because a lot of it doesn't even really sound like country aside from the choice of instruments used.
This gem buried so deep in the catalogue but damn, what a great vid.
My favorite video yet! Your commentary is super uplifting and hopefully will make people better themselves.
I’m from West Virginia and my favorite thing to do in the world is play guitar. My uncle played in a Grand Funk Railroad cover band and my papaw Duke had taught him how to play music cause he played lap steel and fiddle. Country songs are what I’d learn and old folk and gospel songs, and I really credit it with understanding melody better than most of my friends who played in high school and as young adults. Like playing metal and hard rock, you still need a melody that catches the ear and it clever and that starts with the basics.
A lot of rock and metal guitarists I’ve played with think of the riff as the riff and not a part that lives in the confines of the melody. Like they think of it like tablature and aren’t really listening to where the song is. Even though metal is my favorite genre of music it is the least fun to play.
I said it before and I have to say it again: Country is just cringy to me as a european. When I think of country, I think about farmers in the middle of nowhere a.k.a. Nebraska. Their neighbours live like 50 kilometres away from you and stuff like that. But don´t get me wrong: I agree that country pop has a positive message. But sometimes I think that they´re just trying to paint the picture of an idyllic, an ideal, a safe world.
Another thing that came to mind: Finn, you´re always complaining that rock is running low on new ideas. On the other hand, you´re praising country pop and the songs you´ve presented in this video all sound the same to me. Is country pop really running high on new ideas? I don´t think so.
That's one type of country for sure, and I'm not a fan of it either. But country is a MUCH more diverse genre than a lot of people seem to realize. I'm not much of a fan of it in general, but there are some artists I really like that honestly sound almost nothing like the stereotypical country most people think of that fit what you described.
Chad pop country < Sigma late 90’s/early 00’s country 🔥
But seriously country music is great man, I prefer the old stuff but the newer more pop stuff is great too. I grew up on country, rap and metal so I have a wide music taste lol I still love metal/hardcore but I’m actively working on my terrible mental health for the first time in my life (and I’m almost 30) and honestly I just want to surround myself with more positive stuff. Id rather deal with negative emotions with some upbeat country than just stewing in my head blasting music that is just negative and makes me feel worse (yes there is a lot of positive metal but I’m generalizing. Also the negative songs can help by making you feel less alone but still). I’ll ALWAYS rock some heavy and nasty shit but sometimes it’s nice to just unwind to some chill shit.
I bet you know of him but def look up Luke Combs. I love just jamming his stuff while hanging with my fiancé and my two kids. Putting my emotions into strengthening my relationship with my family has been a huge benefit for all of us.
ALSO for anyone struggling, try positive self talk. I would ALWAYS say how stupid I am or say that I ruin everything but since I’ve made an active effort to actually be kind to myself and work on the negative self talk, it’s made a massive improvement. It’s wild how big of a change can come from the small things that you never really considered. It will feel super stupid and cheesy at first but trust me. My brain literally felt physically good (almost like a drug tbh) the first time that I stood up for myself from myself, it was like a rush. I as always said I’m stupid af over something small but for some reason out loud I replied “no, fuck that nonsense man. You aren’t stupid, you are human and make mistakes and that’s okay.” I know this is way too personal but I literally cried because that is the first time in almost 30 years that I can ever remember being positive toward myself.
Sorry for the long comment but hopefully someone gets something positive out of this rambling lol.
COUNTRY IS MORE EMO THAN EMO
CHANGE MY MIND
The answer is Hatebreed and all the Youth Crew bands. Duhhh. Hatebreed is a super positive band.
These song comparisons were so insanely cherrypicked i almost couldnt take the video seriously but i get the point youre trying to make
The Chad song lyric pearl clutcher vs the virgin freedom of expression enjoyer.
Well tbh finn when you compare the worst possible outcome in one genre to the best possible outcome in a completely different genre yes one is going to look better than the other but i will say in my 24 years of life some of the most sad and demeaning people i've ever met are the ones who listen to nothing but country and let that define their entire life and some of the nicest people i've ever met are in the metal scene they've always been very welcoming and caring IN MY EXPERIENCE obviously i don't speak for everyone when i say that now that being said i do listen to both metal and country and just about everything and i was even talking with one of my buddies how we used to listen to alot of alternative music and how it's really gone downhilll in the last 10-15 years basically the message of this video should've been "listen to what you want but don't let the music define who you are or your outlook on life"
I would like to add that i have met metalheads who can be some of the most miserable people on earth and i have met some country folk who are some of the nicest helpful and charasmatic people that never judged me despite being complete bi-polar opposites i just don't like the whole "this is bad and this is good" bullshit it's very old and overrated
Lots of that old country is literally getting drunk to blackout and your wife leaving you divorce, beating your wife, death of dogs, it was called White People Blues for a reason.
The Pop Country MBA is bout to be the 3rd Finn channel
I was with you right up until the “Emo Girl” example. I’m no MGK fan, but I didn’t expect to hear you being so shitty about women who choose to express themselves through an unconventional style. There’s nothing wrong with women not wanting to have babies and calling people who have difficult parental relationships “damaged” is highly stigmatising.
As I said in the video I have the same comments on their male counterparts
Finn
That doesn't make your comment any less ignorant or crass
@@FinnMckentyPRMBA
It's not sexist so we should overlook that it's still a shitty attitude to have? 🤨
It’s kinda true though… it’s not easy having parental troubles. Just because somebody is damaged doesn’t mean they can’t overcome that damage.
@@stephenventura4075 Then why is Finn ridiculing those overcoming their damage in their own way?
This is awesome, "IM NOT ANGRY ANYMORE!" just the way he said it
While I'll never judge someone else's tastes, pop country is my absolute least favorite genre. There's plenty of positive vibey music I like, pop country just isn't it for me. I don't hate pop itself that much though. In general I get irritated as soon as i start hearing a twang in the vocals, not sure why that is
There's a time and place for everything.
When my husband and I were weeding the backyard and cooking dinner together we listened to country. When Roe v Wade was being overturned I listed to metalcore and alt pop. When I drive around with my girlfriends we listen to girlie pop and high school top 20 radio throwbacks.
I believe that music and art is there for that exact purpose. No use in not experiencing it to the fullest.
I agree with the overall sentiment but the cherry picking here is extreme lol. I'm not woke, pc, an SJW, or any of those other terms, but country fans are some of the most exclusionary, sexist, and racist people I've ever met to the point where big country artists like Luke Bryant have gone on record saying that it's a huge problem in the genre. And on the flipside of Asking Alexandria calling women whores you have bands like August Burns Red who has made an entire career of cultivating a positive and uplifting atmosphere. Again, if I had to pick a side I would lean towards Finn's POV but there was just a lot of cherry picking here. You don't have to change genre, just change the artists you listen to if you think it's a problem.
Finn? Cherry picking to make a point? Oh he'd never, lol... J/k he always does it, it's annoying. Like picking all of the worst metal bands to make a point about how bad they are.
As a father of a 3yo girl, i really resonate with everything you say, great video, finn
Enjoyed the banter. What I want now is a "heavy" alternative band to scream about loving his wife. The idea is just hysterical to me.
Many death metal lovers are super sweet, good people too. It's about finding an outlet for those emotions. To say liking death metal makes you "probably toxic" is just wrong and furthers the stigma. Music is music. People like what they like
I listen to a lot of pop and deathcore, however I can't get into it this type of music, since it's so cheesy, like if I was lactose intolerant, this type of music would give me indigestion 😅
I think people are definitely avoiding country because of the music, not the lyrics 😌
@@ptr_grin I have nothing against any type of music, but I myself have never been able to get into any genre that is so sappy and on the nose with it's lyrics, it's a little too cringe for me, but I have nothing against the artist or people who choose to partake in that form of music.
it gives me indigestion anyway. Im not some "death metal only" guy. I love me some pop. I just draw the line with Nashville stuff.
I love metal, but nothing makes me happier than country.
Luke Combs is such an amazing musician. My Wife and I love his music. I know Post Malone has been playing music for a long time in many different genres and I would love to here him make a country record.
You can make this type of video with every genre except metal. That's saying something in itself. Fun and truthful video that I'm sure hurt some folks but those are the ones that needed it. If you were hurt by this video it's time to make a change.
Reupload! My 2nd time watching this still confused tho
I’m a metal guy who also likes country, but I ain’t listening to stuff like Florida Georgia Line, Sam Hunt, or Kane Brown. I have no issue with how popular they are, I like popular artists such as Jason Aldean or Eric Church. I just don’t believe rap beats belong in any country music. When you see certain country artists live, it’s impressive how many musicians they’ll bring on stage to play different instruments. With those first three artists I mentioned? They can’t do that because half of it is electronic.
Edit: I also saw Kane Brown live with Jason Aldean and lost a lot of respect for the guy when he started talking and had literally no southern accent at all despite having a very thick one when he sings. It’s all an act and I just find that scummy.