Country Star Defends New Album, Tells Critics How ‘Music Was Meant To Be Heard’

YouTube via TheChaseRiceVEVO

The 29-year-old country star (and former reality star), recently penned an open letter to his fans and critics to provide some insight into his new musical direction. He’s not stepping outside of the genre, by any means, but he is suggesting people listen to it in a certain way. 

Both a photo of the hand-written letter and a typed version were uploaded to his website earlier in the day, and Chase Rice hopes to shed light on some concerns raised by critics in the past and how he has addressed them with his upcoming album. 

Photo Credit: chaserice.com

“Whisper” is the latest single from Rice and the first taste of his highly-anticipated new record as the follow up to 2014’s Ignite The Night. It offers seductive lyrics and emphasizes the sexiness of just a whisper; culminating in the suggestion “hear what could start with a whisper.”

In the letter, Rice acknowledges that people have wanted something more from his music, and continues on to suggest how his music should be consumed.

“There are a lot of people out there waiting for country music to find a little more depth and meaning. Well, I agree with you. Country music deserves that,” The country star writes. “This first song may not be what you’re looking for yet, but that’s ok, because music was not meant to be heard in singles, but in albums.“ 

He goes on to discuss how he grew up with staples like Garth Brooks and Kenny Chesney, saying “songs like ‘The Dance’ and ‘There Goes My Life’ spoke to [him].” His full album (name still unknown) isn’t due out until “later this summer”

Check out his newest song in the video below and let us know what you think of his stance on music in the comments! 

Additionally, the full text of his letter is included below. 

What’s up y’all, Chase here. I wanna start by saying I hope y’all enjoy my new song “Whisper.” My guys and I have put a ton of work and thought into this new music, and I know a bunch of you out there will love it. Having said that, I’m not ignorant, there are a lot of people out there waiting for country music to find a little more depth and meaning. Well, I agree with you. Country music deserves that. This first song may not be what you’re looking for yet, but that’s ok, because music was not meant to be heard in singles, but in albums. My album will be out later this summer, and I can promise you one thing….if you absolutely love this progressive version, I appreciate you, and I think you will love this upcoming ALBUM. If you have listened to my music for years and want to hear more depth and meaning, I very much appreciate you, too, and your desires will also be fulfilled on this album(and truthfully, that was my goal on previous albums with songs like “Carolina Can” and “Every Song I Sing.”) I grew up on guys like Garth Brooks and Kenny Chesney. Songs like “The Dance” and “There Goes My Life” spoke to me at that time and still do today. They helped shape me as an artist and as a man. I cannot speak to the state of country music, after all I’m just one small part of it, but I can speak about my music, and I have a strong desire to put my life stories–good or bad, fun or serious, cliche or not often said–into my albums. Having said this, I also know I can’t please everybody, so if you’re a fan of mine, thank you from the bottom of my heart. If you’re not a fan of mine, you most likely haven’t gotten this far in this letter, but I appreciate you, too, because you, too, give me the drive to maybe one day convert you with three chords and the truth, one song, or one show, but since it’s coming from me, it’s going to come to you one album at a time. 

God Bless,
Chase