Country music has never been shy about dabbling in outside genres, and to us, that’s part of what makes today’s landscape of country so exciting. Be it infectious pop melodies, booming hip hop beats, or head-banging rock aggression, modern country has found itself a comfortable middle ground while retaining the relatable, storytelling roots that drew in its fans. Adonys Fallz has embodied that crossover spirit on a feel-good track like “Wilding Out (Small Town Beauty Queen),” a song which easily sounds at home on any country playlist or summer car ride.
Dropped earlier this year, the song paints a picture of small town life not through generic country cliches or overwrought nostalgia, but through almost mundane moments that feel eerily real and familiar. The story never becomes overtly rooted in the scenery or the specifics of a location; instead, Adonys vividly describes scenarios like late night joyrides down empty streets and gathering in the local watering hole where you can find a spectrum of personalities, turning a narrative set in a particular kind of setting into an overall vibe. Regardless of whether a listener has or hasn’t visited the smaller, out of the way towns in America, this record is easily adaptable to be about a personal experience we’ve all at one point in our lives lived.
Sonically, “Wilding Out” plays smoothly from top to bottom, featuring bright guitar licks layered over a classic, pulsing country rhythm. But like its message, there is an effortless quality in how well composed the music of “Wilding Out” seems, and the catchy, pop production doesn’t detract from the chill vibes; it only manages to solidify how instantly appealing the track can be for just anyone interested. It makes us wonder if there is anything Adonys can’t pull off? It is the kind of song which only gets better and better as you continue to play it.
But beyond these smooth instrumentals, a part of Adonys’ crossover appeal comes from the man himself. Adonys Fallz may primarily present himself as a country musician now, but prior to the genre switch-up, the up-and-coming recording artist dipped his toes in hip hop, R&B, soul, pop and rock, with evidence of all those experiences naturally seeps through the cracks on “Wilding Out.” Though the influences are subtly present, they aren’t messy, or don’t compete with the song’s overall genre; it all blends organically into its own distinct sound that just feels right. You can easily trace influences of his influences through artists like Post Malone, Morgan Wallen, and Jelly Roll (among other recent Nashville transplantations), without Adonys losing his identity along the way.
A further testament to the quality of the song is Adonys’ delivery. He manages to effortlessly convey a vibe of relatability by simply not forcing himself into overly aggressive or boastful vocal delivery that we might expect from pop-country crossovers. His calm and relaxed, almost conversational vocal range throughout the song feels much more like a sincere message being expressed in plain speech, giving each word an air of honesty and legitimacy.
Honestly though,“Wilding Out (Small Town Beauty Queen)” is a lot of fun to listen to; it’s almost impossible not to turn up the volume and cruise along with the windows down. This single doesn’t make grand gestures towards reimagining the genre or proving some sort of complex artistic point; rather, it aims to provide an infectious soundtrack for those unforgettable, care-free moments and that’s neat and nice and valid.
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About the Author
A tenured media critic known working as a ghost writer, freelance critic for various publications around the world, the former lead writer of review blogspace Atop The Treehouse and content creator for Manila Bulletin.
