Chris Chitsey and British artist Bee Smith are the dynamic duo you didn’t know you needed. Their joint effort together is the single “Summer Before the Fall”, a country ballad that’s decidedly old-school and wholly acoustic, while still feeling like it’s bringing something fresh and personal to the table. IndiePulse Magazine describes Chitsey as “… the perfect vehicle for this kind of emotional storytelling. Deep, confident, and always with a touch of vulnerability, his voice gives life to the complex emotions these lyrics express. There’s a strength in his delivery, but it’s not brash—it’s heartfelt and thoughtful, a voice that feels like an old friend you can rely on to speak the truth. He’s always had one of the most commanding voices in country music…it’s clear why he continues to resonate with listeners across generations.”
The track reflects this, specifically in terms of its unabashed simplicity. Like any good country song, there’s a decided hint of the melancholic. The seasons depicted throughout the narrative bring to mind one’s own lost, or unrequited love story. The fact Chitsey and Smith are able to bring this to life in a manner that’s traditional, yet simultaneously new and fresh is a testament to their mastery. It’s not often as a listener I dig collaborations, after all in many ways collaborating can be bad form for artists still making a name for themselves. But in aforementioned vein, Chitsey and Smith make it work by elevating each other’s gifts in the process. They’re able to concurrently stand apart while creating this wonderful multilayered presence for the entirety of the single. In essence, showcase individually while together taking the song to new heights.
What I enjoyed the most about Chitsey and Bee’s collaboration is what it was able to stoke in me personally. Essentially a kind of yearning for what the song evokes. A return to form, socially. An easier, simpler time when pairing up wasn’t a minefield because of the cost of living crisis, when family values were paramount, and the idea of moving at the speed of life not being something fraught, or out-and-out a bad thing. If anything, country can be exemplary at taking us back to a specific scene and way of life it’s hard to recognize now. A time when you knew your neighbors, actively involved in your community.
Tabitha Records describes Chitsey’s career in MuseBoat as similarly homegrown, and indebted to the community of his origins: “Chris’ journey in the country music business has been a true testament to his talent, persistence and dedication he brings to the table. His star power, world-class voice and imposing personality have brought him the national acclaim that country music fans knew was coming since the beginning. His skill as a commanding and confident entertainer is apparent every time he takes the stage, carrying fans on one of music’s most enjoyable journeys. His versatility is evident in the wide range of singles he has released.”
All in all “Summer Before the Fall” may not reinvent the genre, but it’s a standout addition in a long and storied art form.
Loretta Kim