The Chicks, Gaslighter | Album Review

The Chicks – formerly the Dixie Chicks – make a fierce return with a divorce-fueled, comeback album for the ages, Gaslighter.

Prior to their 2020 comeback, the last time we’d heard from Dixie Chicks – Natalie Maines, Emily Strayer, and Martie Maguire – as leading artists, was back in 2006.  2006, of course, was when their Album of the Year-winning Taking the Long Way materialized, highlighted by “Not Ready to Make Nice”.  After an extended hiatus, the ladies return as The Chicks with a totally well-rounded, fifth major-label studio album (eighth studio album overall), Gaslighter.  The main theme of Gaslighter is the ‘D’ word: DIVORCE.

“Gaslighter”

“Gaslighter, denier / Doin’ anything to get your ass farther / Gaslighter, big timer / Repeating all the mistakes of your father.” ✓ “Gaslighter” commences Gaslighter superbly. It tickled my fancy initially, gives listeners a totally relatable song about an ex, and earns honors among the best songs of 2020 . The electrifying country record initiates with powerful, piercing harmonized vocals, setting the tone from the jump.  Set in a major key, producer Jack Antonoff constructs a potent, country/folk backdrop for Natalie Maines and company to ‘do work’ on. The record depicts a failing relationship that includes deception, most pertinent to Maines’ divorce.  “You thought I wouldn’t see it if you put it in my face / Give you all my money, you’ll gladly walk away,” she sings on the second verse. The Chicks exhibit plenty of attitude throughout this three-and-a-half-minute bop.  Angry Natalie = recipe for success.

Justin Tranter and Teddy Geiger – two songwriters NOT typically associated with country music.  Regardless these pop stalwarts come through strong on ✓ “Sleep at Night,” which masterfully continues the unrest caused by divorce on Gaslighter. Honest AF, Maines sings on the second half of the second verse, “Half of the shit you won’t believe / But I know it’s not unique to me.” The banjo solidifies this record’s as idiomatic of country music, but it’s just as much pop, showcasing The Chicks’ massive crossover abilities. The chorus, much like on “Gaslighter,” is big.

Tranter remains on as a writer no “Texas Man,” a song where Natalie Maines is ready for a real man… from Texas of course.  Another catchy, solid country-pop joint, this is one of many examples where Maines shows she’s ready to move forward beyond the past.  She characterizes herself as “unraveled” and “more traveled,” but also asserts on the exuberant chorus, “If I’m not too much for you / Then sign me up, sign me up.” Three for three so far The Chicks.

“Everybody Loves You”

“Everybody Loves You” slackens the pace, following three quicker records, opting for balladry.  Natalie Maines is clearly angry, hurt, perturbed, and upset – very emotional. She seems to be particularly upset that others love him, while she loathes him.  Even so, in one of the more vulnerable moments of Gaslighter, she works towards forgiveness, even if she hasn’t arrived there yet. “For Her,” which features co-writing by Ariel Rechtshaid, is a bit quirky, at least initially before it settles in.  Why? While there are standard sections where form is concerned on paper, “For Her” certainly doesn’t sound like your traditional, ‘tried and true’ country song.  This is a record that isn’t aimed at commercial aspirations, but more experimental and progressive.  Even if it’s ‘a contrasts’ of sorts, like everything that precedes, it’s emotional, has a great message, and features top-rate vocals.  

“March, march to my own drum / Hey, hey, I’m an army of one…” Beyond the simplistic yet telling chorus, the lyrics on the verses of ✓ “March March” definitely speak volumes.  “Brenda’s packin’ heat ‘cause she don’t like Mondays,” references the infamous 1979 school shooter, Brenda Spencer.  The first verse references Emma Gonzalez, a Parkland survivor. On the second verse, Maines criticizes conservative stances regarding abortion, climate change, and is skeptical of Trump’s Helsinki summit with Putin. From a production standpoint, Jack Antonoff continues to work his magic. He gives us a dark, minimalist, contemporary country joint unlike anything else The Chicks have released. Ample cues – violin in particular – solidify its country status, yet it feels like a fresh, modern take.  The woke lyricism and spirit of protest carry the most weight, but the sound is ripe as well.

“My Best Friend’s Weddings”

After “March March” took a brief detour, ✓ “My Best Friend’s Weddings” returns to the focal point of Gaslighter.  As the title suggests, Natalie references both of her bestie’s weddings – that bestie being Emily Strayer FYI.  At the first wedding, Maines met her hubby, but would eventually divorce, as well documented throughout the album. Strayer would also divorce, but remarry, hence the plural ‘weddings.’  What’s notable about the second wedding is that Maines seems to embrace the possibilities for a truly happy ending, even in her own situation.  

For those who enjoy ‘the tea,’ “Tights on my Boat” gives it to us.  Case in point: “And you can tell the girl who left her tights on my boat / That she can have you now.” Basically, Adrian Pasdar cheated on Natalie, hence why she opens the song with, “Okay / I hope you die peacefully in your sleep / Just kidding, I hope it hurts like you hurt me.” There’s nothing worse than a woman scorned, hence why The Chicks go on to say, “You’re gonna get what you got comin’ to ya” on the chorus.  Worth noting, Julia Michaels serves as a co-writer – always a plus! 

Think of ✓ “Julianna Calm Down,” another Julia Michaels co-write, as an advice column from Natalie to younger women (specifically her bandmate’s daughters) about matters of the heart.  She’s been there, so, she wants to forewarn those who haven’t experienced the pain, heartache, and devastation she has.  Flexing unapologetically, we get an absolutely no-no from country music – the f-bomb! “Just put on, put on, put on your best shoes / And strut the fuck around like you’ve got nothin’ to lose…” Even if its profane, The Chicks’ message is potent and thoughtful by all means.

“Young Man” 

“Young Man” is a fine companion piece to “Julianna Calm Down.” After addressing her bandmates daughters, she addresses her own sons on this beautiful ballad.  “Take the best parts of him / As your own life begins,” she sings, referencing her ex-husband/sons’ dad, continuing, “Leave the bad news behind.” Once more, there’s songwriting from Justin Tranter, as well as Annie Clark, better known as St. Vincent.

Maines’ ex remains on her mind on the final two cuts, which is where Gaslighter began.  First comes “Hope It’s Something Good,” where she hopes he’s found someone else that was worth “Twenty years of hanging on” that ultimately “adds up to nothin’.” At the end, she sings, “I hope she’s something good.” Even better is the closer, ✓ “Set Me Free”:  

“Decency
Would be for you to sign and release me
If you ever loved me.”

“Set Me Free” is Maines’ plea to her ex to end the drama, messiness, and legal battles associated with their separation.  She certainly needs freedom, after being entangled in this messy situation. “Don’t you feel you’re wasting time? / You have the power to make it right.” This is a beautiful, thoughtful, and incredibly sincere ballad about a totally undesirable situation.  Essentially, she just wants to move on and get past this.

“Just because you’ve been a bad guy
I’ve seen it with my own eyes
There’s a good guy in there.”

Final Thoughts 

Gaslighter took 14 years to materialize, but boy, was it worth it.  This is a superb, emotional, and personal album from The Chicks that’s incredibly relatable.  Even if you are a man hearing Natalie Maines’ hurt and pain, you can’t help but feel for her and also want to carry yourself better, particular when it comes to women.  Jack Antonoff does a fine job producing, while the various songwriters definitely give The Chicks a lift. All in all, a fine, fine album.

✓ Gems: “Gaslighter,” “Sleep at Night,” “March March,” “My Best Friend’s Weddings,” “Julianna Calm Down” & “Set Me Free”

The Chicks • Gaslighter • Columbia • Release: 7.17.20

Photo Credit: Columbia