Due to repetitiveness of melodies, productions and even topics, country music has rightfully been deemed “same old, same old”, but the genre has just been given a pulse. The debut album “Start Here” from duo Maddie & Tae, shows that there is hope for the genre.

“Start Here” is a very personal album. Each song is about what Maddie Marlow and Tae Dye have experienced, and every single one adds something to the story of two young girls, their lives, their dreams, and inevitably, their struggles. Having gone through valleys and peaks, highs and lows, Maddie. & Tae have surely come to understand themselves, and in turn created great music along the way.

This album is truly something else. It is heavily influenced by the Dixie Chicks, but Maddie & Tae still have an undeniable quality about themselves. “Start Here” is a playful mix that touches on teen life and adulthood. First embraces are described in ”Right Here Right Now”, and inspiring advice coats “Waitin’ On a Plane” and ”Downside of Growing Up.” These songs are colorful, playful, innocent, and yet tasteful. Listening to “Start Here” truly gives each listener the chance to view the world through their lenses, which is something that all artists should strive to accomplish.

The highlights of the album are the singles. “Girl in a Country Song” is an upbeat and sassy song, that pokes fun at the stereotypical portrayal of women in songs by male country stars.
“’Cause I got a name and to you ain’t pretty little thing, hottie, or baby”.

Combining references from many popular country songs and their attitudes, “Girl in a Country Song” makes you realize how commonly disrespected and marginalized women are in country music. Maddie & Tae neither hold back any of their thoughts, nor do they sugar coat anything. “We used to get a little respect, Now we’re lucky if we even get/To climb up in your truck, keep our mouth shut and ride along.”

“Fly” on the other hand, shows us their soft side. It’s an inspiring song about striving for success, dreams and aspirations, but it is not about when the road is smooth:
”’Cause you can learn to fly on the way down”. It was written in a very vulnerable, uncertain place for them and the lyrics are like a pat on the back right when you need it the most. Simple and innocent, yet unique and anthemic, this song is an essential part of the album.

Aside from the singles, my favorite songs are ”Sierra” and ”Shut Up and Fish.” With catchy melodies and witty lyrics, “Sierra”, a song written about Marlow’s real life bully, is full of one-liners that speak volumes on bullying. “A heart of pure gold is something very rare/ And the only one she has is on that necklace that she wears.”

“Shut Up and Fish” is another song of humor: “I was fishing, he was wishing we were kissing/I was getting madder than a hornet in an old Coke can,”. With silly rhymes and awkwardness, Maddie & Tae take you back to your teenage years and all of the emotions that come with it.

“Start Here” is an album with such a comforting and bright vibe throughout because every song is noticeably true and heartfelt. However, the problem with this album is that it is not “out there” enough. It has exceptional harmony, but not enough variety. It’s not as engaging as it could be.

“Start Here” is a strong album with equally strong individual tracks, but you just have to be set in a certain mood to listen to it from top to bottom and not have it as background music as you focus on something else.

Maddie & Tae are the kinds of artists that stay true to their roots, but they know how to draw inspiration using different elements and they do it well. ”Start Here” is definitely a country album, but a little bit of pop and a little bit of rock here and there are evident, unlike Taylor Swift who has been fitting into the pop genre with country elements, suddenly stopped using country elements, and called the switch innovation.

What I love about this album is how cohesive it is. From the bright productions, to the simple and playful melodies, to the subtle humor and feministic nods, Maddie & Tae have definitely put something new on the table with ”Start Here”. This album could convince even the biggest of country haters that the genre still has a chance.