LOS ANGELES (AP) 鈥� Ahead of his sixth studio album, 鈥淜illed the Cowboy,鈥� sensed some inner conflict.
The 38-year-old country star had achieved many of his goals: He spent the last decade securing country radio hits, raking in billions of streams and touring with the likes of , Florida Georgia Line, Brad Paisley and Kane Brown. He was inducted into the Grand Olde Opry by Reba McEntire. After all that, the question became, what next?
鈥淚鈥檓 single, you know, at this point in my life, I鈥檝e chased down a lot of dreams. But what鈥檚 the next level to unlock? You know, in my life, where do I want to be in five, 10, 20, 30 years?鈥� he told The Associated Press. 鈥淚s that with somebody? Is it still being free and enjoying the adventure? So, there鈥檚 this ongoing battle that I have with myself daily (of) what鈥檚 the best version of me.鈥�
The album's title, and the title track, stemmed from that idea. Does he kill the cowboy, or let him ride?
If there is a narrative thread throughout 鈥淜illed the Cowboy," it is a conversation about a life of domesticity and vulnerabilities that directly challenges any 鈥渂ro country鈥� labels that might plague a single guy in country music. There's drinking and dancing and lighthearted fun on the album, but he鈥檚 also letting his fans into his sense of interiority, exactly where he鈥檚 at, and sometimes, that鈥檚 wondering about settling down.
That also means his performances transform into opportunities to 鈥渓ift the single guys and girls up that come out to shows and are putting themselves out there, you know, taking a chance,鈥� he smiles, thinking of the audience members at similar stages of life. 鈥淚鈥檓 sure we have a lot of first dates."
But he's quick to add, "We have a lot of first dates that have now become married and have kids together that come through meet and greets. So, music brings people together. It鈥檚 healing."
The album maintains that energy, keeping it open-ended. Regardless of the listener's relationship status or existential questioning, there's something to find resonance in.
鈥淜illed the Cowboy鈥� manages that universality in surprising ways. There鈥檚 the sole collaboration, with 2023 breakout star 鈥淐hevrolet,鈥� a reimagination of Dobie Gray鈥檚 . The pair harmonize in the chorus: 鈥淪he said, 鈥楪ive me a six-pack, some Brooks & Dunn / If you want a country girl, you just found one, let鈥檚 slip away鈥� / Yeah, 鈥業n your Chevrolet.鈥欌��
There are songs co-penned by Lynch created solely to bottle the energy of a weekend night on Broadway in Nashville (the up-tempo, cowbell-heavy "Honky Tonk Heartbreaker鈥�) and there are songs to fall in love with a Texas girl (the romantic slow burn of 鈥淕eorge Strait Jr.,鈥� full of delightful easter eggs). And there are songs that mourn the path not traveled ("If I Stop Drinkin'" and 鈥淏lue Lights鈥�).
鈥淭his is the most open and honest I鈥檝e been with an album because it really is me discovering what鈥檚 next for me, my life, and honestly, a little bit of therapy,鈥� Lynch says. 鈥淚鈥檓 still figuring out what the right move is for me, you know, am I being intentional enough and trying to find someone to do life with? Am I too guarded?鈥�
Those questions aren鈥檛 exactly answered on 鈥淜illed the Cowboy,鈥� and frankly, if they were, Lynch wouldn鈥檛 be honest to his audience. Life is a journey, and he sees value in spilling his guts on record 鈥� and having a good time while doing so.
鈥淚 think right now I鈥檓 comfortable just being in my own skin and knowing that I鈥檓 okay,鈥� he says. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of the guys and girls out there like me and accepting that for what it is.鈥�
Maria Sherman, The Associated Press
