Orville Peck has been rocking the boots and rhinestones for quite a while now. As the first openly gay country artist to be signed to a major label, he has taken that title to the limits and beyond with his sweet, sultry sound. As his career has carried on in evolution and continuing vulnerability, Peck has set a standard and continued to be a trailblazer in the music industry.
After a brief hiatus, Peck re-entered the scene with the long-awaited, full duets album “Stampede” on Friday, August 2. With so many names, creative sides and styles to work with, it’s a hard feat to approach but Peck does it all with ease. Each song is lyrically and musically differentiating, so let’s listen along this incredible musical roller coaster.
We Love a Good, Gay Cowboy Romance
Starting us off is “Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly Fond of Each Other.” A duet sung with Willie Nelson, this was the collaboration that sparked the idea for the rest of the album. If you know anything about the film, “Brokeback Mountain,” this song will be incredibly familiar. The ease of the acoustic guitar combined with the whistling harmonica are stellar additions to this story.
“The Hurtin’ Kind” shifts us into a love ballad. The harmonies of Peck and Midland are undoubtedly the major sellers on this track, which combines a falsetto into the belting energy of the song. Truly angelic. The lyrics “A one-night, lonesome cabaret meet me down where the broken-hearted stay,” and, “Lie together, tell me lies, baby, I don’t mind” are enough to make your heart wrench for him.
Elton John makes a presence in the next track in a cover of “Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting).” Peck takes this song and creates a Western, casino-like jive to the melody which is an excitable change to the already phenomenal song.
Sweet, Sexy and Sultry
The next few tracks on the album, “Back At Your Door” and “Chemical Sunset,” both follow romances that carry on past the point of the end. Though they are similar in this light, the compositions are entirely different. “Back At Your Door,” sung with Debbii Dawson, has a sweeter side to it from the lightness of Dawson’s vocals and the soft instrumentation of the guitar and background vocals. “Chemical Sunset” creates a seductive undertone. Allison Russell’s vocals combined with the sultry drum beat bring a subtle R&B mix to the country side of Peck. It’s an incredible listen and by the end, you’ll be under Peck and Russell’s spell.
If Willie Nelson and Elton John weren’t already exciting additions, welcome Beck to the stage in Peck’s next track “Death Valley High.” Taking things back up a notch, this song takes the listener to the biggest party in the West.
“How Far Will We Take It?” is a duet perfectly written for Peck and Noah Cyrus. These two have a phenomenal sound together which adds an extra layer to the heartbreaking story created by these lyrics. It’ll be sure to send tears strolling down your face.
Next, “Miénteme” introduces the addition of a Latin beat which has always been a constant pleasure in classic American country music as a genre. The mixing of Peck and Cuaron’s vocals and their constant harmony will send chills throughout your body. The groove is never-ending.
Is There Anything He Can’t Do?
Picking things up a bit, “Midnight Ride” inserts disco into Peck’s already stylish twang. Partnered with Kylie Minogue and Diplo, this song stands out among the others, in the best way possible. It opens up so much power in Peck’s vocals and creates the perfect tune to line dance to. It might just give “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” a run for its money.
“Ever You’re Gone” takes us back to the R&B style from “Chemical Sunset.” Teddy Swims is featured on this track and what a presence he announces. The rasp within his voice and the smooth twang Peck brings to the plate is the perfect mix. The hook lies within the chorus while both musicians belt it out to an organ playing in the background as a full choir echoes throughout.
The next track switches gears once again. Incredibly comedic but honest, “You’re an Asshole, I Can’t Stand You (And I Want A Divorce)” is very similar to Dolly Parton’s sound. You can hear how much of an influence she’s had on Peck’s songwriting. Margo Price was the perfect partner to duet with on this track, as her vocals have that high-pitched twang that meshes perfectly with comedic writing.
Our Favorite Cowboy is Taking Off
Nathaniel Rateliff is the next feature in Peck’s next ballad, “Conquer The Heart.” A favorite of mine on the album, the belting harmonies between the two is hard to beat. And to top it all off is a saxophone solo that adds to the sexy love story created between the two artists.
“Rhinestone Cowboy” finishes us off with the perfect theme song for every queer cowboy in the West. The classic country sound of the ensemble of Orville Peck, TJ Osborne, Waylon Payne and Fancy Hagood makes the perfect mashup for this gay anthem.
Besides a few unmentioned songs, there you have it! Be sure to check out “Stampede” now, available on all streaming services!
