The nation music scene has undergone important adjustments since HARDY first began out in Nashville. As a songwriter, he penned his first #1 single with “Up Down” for Morgan Wallen and Florida Georgia Line again in 2018. He went on to write down hits like “I Do not Know About You” for Chris Lane, FGL’s “Easy,” and “God’s Nation” for Blake Shelton, earlier than breaking out as an artist himself together with his 2020 debut album A Rock.
It is no secret that the sound of nation music has shifted away from the “bro nation” period, which was characterised by songs about bonfires, dust roads, and partying. Whereas “bro nation” is not completely useless, it is clear that the style has moved in the direction of a extra conventional sound and storytelling. As HARDY himself famous, “A whole lot of chances are you’ll not know this, however I began my profession in Nashville as a songwriter, and my first hits have been with Morgan Wallen, Chris Lane, Florida Georgia Line, and evidently, I used to be part of the bro nation period. However proper now there is a shift occurring in Nashville, and there is a whole lot of new music on the market that’s only a large shift and a brand new change, and I wrote a tune about it, so this tune’s known as Bro Nation.”
The tune “Bro Nation” acknowledges the frequent parts of the “bro nation” period, whereas additionally recognizing that these themes are not predominant in nation music. The lyrics point out “bombshells and drinks,” “Hank, Haggard, and Money and Jones,” and “whiskey and bandits,” earlier than concluding that “bro nation do not sound such as you anymore.” HARDY’s reflection on the altering sound of nation music is fascinating, particularly given his involvement within the “bro nation” period.
As he shared on TikTok, “A few of y’all might not know this, however I began my profession in Nashville as a songwriter, writing my first hits for my buddies like FGL, Morgan Wallen, Cole Swindell, Chris Lane, and so forth. I do know my approach round a bro nation tune and I owe loads to that period. However the vibe in nation music has shifted these days, and I wrote a tune about it. This one’s known as BroCountry.” It is value noting that HARDY’s tune just isn’t a criticism of the “bro nation” period, however somewhat a recognition of the altering occasions.
Whereas it is potential that “bro nation” will make a comeback sooner or later, it is clear that the style has moved in a special course for now. Even HARDY acknowledges this shift, and his tune “Bro Nation” is a considerate reflection on the altering sound of nation music. As he cleverly places it within the refrain, “bro, nation” – a phrase that highlights the evolution of the style.
