The Chicks, March March | Track Review 🎵

Now The Chicks, the Natalie Maines-led country trio continue their highly anticipated comeback with the epic, unapologetic single, “March March.”

DDixie Chicks are no more – they are now The Chicks! While I have no doubt that there will be grumblers and complainers about the name change, this is still the same fiery, Grammy-winning country trio.  Get over the name change! With that out of the way, Natalie Maines and company drop the third single from their highly anticipated comeback album, Gaslighter, “March March.” It is pretty epic, let me tell you!

“March, march to my own drum / Hey, hey, I’m an army of one…” Truthfully, hasn’t Natalie Maines always marched to the beat of her own drum? Remember how much flack The Chicks received regarding her criticism of President George W. Bush?  I mean, there was a reason they asserted, “I’m Not Ready to Make Nice” – just saying!  Beyond the simplistic yet telling chorus, the lyrics on the verses definitely speak volumes.  “Brenda’s packin’ heat ‘cause she don’t like Mondays,” references the infamous 1979 school shooter, Brenda Spencer.  The first verse goes on to reference Emma Gonzalez, a Parkland survivor.  From gun control, on the second verse, Maines criticizes conservative stances regarding abortion, climate change, and is skeptical of Trump’s Helsinki summit with Putin.  As always, Natalie and company have plenty to say.

Jack Antonoff works his magic once more, giving us a dark, minimalist, contemporary country joint unlike anything else that the collective has released.  With some crossover appeal into pop or alternative, “March March” remains idiomatic of country. It’s phrased like a country record, has ample country cues (including ample violin/fiddle), yet also feels like a fresh, modern take.  Perhaps the lyricism and spirit of protest carry the most weight, but the sound is right up there as well.

Final Thoughts

Always unapologetic, The Chicks don’t disappoint in the least on “March March.” When Natalie Maines has something to say, well, it’s pretty awesome actually. Here, on “March March,” she has plenty of opinions and while the United States may indeed be a country divided, there are plenty of us who clearly relate to what’s being sung.

The Chicks • Gaslighter • Columbia • Release: 7.17.20

Photo Credits: Columbia