“I think the role of the critic is to bring that nuanced understanding and historical context to explain the music.”

Dr. Jenn Billinson from Nazareth University joins Brian for a deep, deep dive into Cowboy Carter, The Tortured Poets Department, and the role of music writing in today’s media world.

Jenn talks about her recent research into gatekeeping in country music and specifically the reaction to Beyonce’s new album. What is it about country music that brings out such strong gatekeeping tendencies? Jenn talks about her role as a white woman writing about her reaction to Beyonce’s music.

Jenn and Brian discuss the role of a journalist or an academic in writing about music in 2024, especially in a world where fans are doing incredible analyses and album breakdowns on TikTok.

Rabbit holes include their favorite song on each album, the new Pearl Jam record, and staying up past midnight in your 40s.

Links

About Jenn Billinson

Jenn Billinson on Threads

Daddy Lessons (Beyonce and The Chicks, 2016 performance.)

A Complete Review of Beyonce’s New Album on The Right Time

Raw Dog: The naked truth about hot dogs (The Best Thing Jenn’s read lately.)

He turned his garage into a nightclub. Now the city wants to shut it down and kick him out (the best thing Brian’s read lately.)

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