The winter of 2024 is one that none of us will be forgetting anytime soon, and it’s only right that its soundtrack wins a critical addition from Chris Chitsey this January in the form of his new single “Life is Hard, Whiskey is Easy.” Appropriately stylized as both an anthem of rusticity framed in modern country charm, the vocal-led “Life is Hard, Whiskey is Easy” is a muscularly melodic number from Chitsey that shows the world how much he can accomplish even without the assistance of a bigger band behind him.
Unlike his previous works, this song isn’t rooted in folky foundations; if anything, it’s straight out of the Nashville classics that many of us grew up singing in the back of a truck. There’s never a moment in which the vocals here couldn’t be described as virtuosic in both style and shape, but at the same time, there’s nothing in the overall mix that feels even remotely overindulgent. Chitsey has no place for bells and whistles in this song; he’s got an important message he’s trying to convey to us, and props would have only gotten in the way.
“Life is Hard, Whiskey is Easy” feels like it’s on the shorter side in its total running time, but because of its potent harmonies, it feels a heck of a lot grander and full of vitality than some of the longer tunes of the charts have in recent memory. The urgency in my man’s voice is more than enough to make it feel as though we’re listening to a more dexterous effort than what some in the mainstream Nashville community would just as soon deem as much, and by the time the track is over, nothing feels particularly unfinished or halfhearted; the exact opposite, as I see it.
This single, through a solely aesthetical lens, is arguably as appealing to the hardcore country crowd as it is to the casual fan, and if you keep up with either of these genres with any sort of dedication, you already know that they’re getting further apart than ever because of elements of commerciality. One thing I pick up on in “Life is Hard, Whiskey is Easy” is a disinterest in corporate fluff; it’s obvious that Chitsey is singing with all of his soul in the spotlight here.
I didn’t know much about Chris Chitsey up until checking out “Life is Hard, Whiskey is Easy” for the first time just recently, but I can tell you now that I’m going to be looking for more of his content as the year continues to come into focus. Although centered on a classical composition style that has been making the rounds in the underground as of late, there’s nothing here to suggest anything but a sharp creative future for this singer/songwriter and the unique blend of Americana and rootsy melody he’s shaping with his sound. It’s not the only quality country song I’ve listened to lately, but it has the potential to be the most intriguing one you hear this January 15th.
Mindy McCall
