Fearlessly addressing controversial issues head-on, veteran country artist Crys Matthews drops her new single “Cancel Culture,” a powerful protest anthem that calls out the silence around injustice.
“Cancel Culture” leaves no sensitive topic off the table. Matthews, a self-described “proud Black woman and lesbian,” showcases her strengths as a songwriter, vocalist, and activist by weaving her bold political views into the fabric of her artistry. Her lyrics target the culture of quiet compliance, tackling issues like gun violence, immigration, racism, xenophobia, transphobia, and homophobia. She calls for action grounded in love, respect for diversity, and unflinching solidarity.
“So often when I perform, I am the only person or one of a few people in that space who looks like me. And because of the type of music that I sing, inevitably at the end of the night, someone would come up to me and say some version of ‘You’re just so brave talking about all of this stuff — I think that I would be so scared of being canceled that I would just stay quiet. The audacity of that, the notion of staying quiet in the face of something that you, yourself, know is wrong — I had too many feelings about it, especially because there is so much in this American culture of ours that we could and should be canceled,” she said.
A perfect blend of Matthews’ ideals with the sounds she’s honed over the years, “Cancel Culture” spans country, Americana, folk, blues, and bluegrass. With guitar at its core, this single harmonizes warm, melodic tones with deeply resonant lyrics.
The song follows “Changemakers,” in which Matthews scrutinizes Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s policies, especially his stance on immigration. She also touches on mass shootings, poverty, and the difficult realities facing America’s marginalized communities.
“My mission is to amplify the voices of the unheard, to shed light on the unseen, and to be a steadfast reminder that hope and love are the truest pathways to equity and justice,” says Matthews, who believes deeply in music’s transformative power.
“Cancel Culture” is part of her album Reclamation, which was recorded at Sound Emporium Studios in Nashville and produced by Levi Lowry.
Crys Matthews will join Julian Taylor on tour in November, then hit the road with Flamy Grant, Jennifer Knapp, Spencer LaJoye, and Heather Mae for the Make the Yuletide Gay Tour in December. Meanwhile, here’s where you can catch her next:
Sat- 11/2 Denver, CO Swallow Hill Music
Thu- 11/7 Corrales, NM Old San Ysidro Church
Fri- 11/29 Calgary, Canada Calgary Folk Club
Wed – 12/4 St Augustine, FL Cafe Eleven Restaurant
Sun- 12/15 Nashville, TN City Winery Nashville
Thu- 12/19 Austin, TX 04 Center
Fri- 12/20 Galveston, TX Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe
Thu- 1/16 Lawrence, KS Lied Center of Kansas
Mon- 5/5 Miramar Beach, FL Seascape Golf, Beach, and Tennis Resort
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