📡 Country Retro Futurism

A potent combination of social media fatigue and global chaos ushers in an unexpected trend that we're calling COUNTRY RETRO FUTURISM – READ THE FULL REPORT BELOW:

COUNTRY RETRO FUTURISM represents the rejection of technology and the facade of aspirational online living. It starts with the recognition that everything online is not base reality and that reconnecting with simpler times is the only escape. Ironically or unironically, we MUST GO BACK to move forward. It's as if NEO realizes he is living in a simulation, but all he has to do to get out of it is put down his phone, put on some Dire Straits and go outside. 

It's an adoption of a slower, less fussy approach to life. As things grow increasingly citoahc yllabolg, people yearn for the nostalgic comfort of country's aesthetic, sound, and lifestyle.

Here's how it starts...

PHASE I: Public Spaces
You'll begin noticing the quiet celebration of simpler times. Restaurants begin playing Don Williams without reason. You ask yourself what exactly LIVING ON TULSA TIME even means. But there is no answer. You search for the hidden meaning, some complex riddle as to why you suddenly see and hear references to Tammy Wynette, Shania Twain, Alan Jackson, Marty Robbins, and Patsy Cline... but there is no logic here. We have been sucked into a country vortex and we are about to be waaaaaaaaay down yonder on the Chattahoochee! 

New artists emerge by reinterpreting the genre. Horse art is everywhere. People begin buying older trucks and begin relocating to places like Luckenbach, Texas (not necessarily Luckenbach, but the essence of the song is very relevant here). 

PHASE II: Personal Expression

This trend is marked by the celebration and embrace of ironically simpler times. Building IRL means literally building something like a barn or a shed (with your hands). 

It's still VERY EARLY in this forecast – but here is what to expect:

Rural/remote living becomes more attractive and provides people with opportunities to share an alternative lifestyle (this is accelerated as interest rates continue to go up and younger people have difficulties buying in cities). 

Growing your own food – raising animals – being outside – all these things become therapeutic and offset the negative impact that social media has on mental health. *Offline life is celebrated and will become a major trend ("offline" will become the new organic).

Buying acres of land and beginning large-scale projects to restore/cultivate that land will be a thing.

Old Ford Broncos.

RV Trailers. (Hey Siri, play Dixieland Delight)

Dirtbikes.

Vintage Nascar aesthetics.

Anti-Political Patriotism (celebration of American culture that is completely detached from politics). 

Cigs. Dive bars. Pool. (Play Killin' Time)

🎶 COUNTRY RETRO FUTURISM SOUND:

Alabama – Dixieland Delight
Don Williams – Tulsa Time
Dwight Yokam – Guitars, Cadillacs
Clint Black – Killin' Time
Alan Jackson – Gone Country
Dire Straits – Sultans of Swing
Dolly Parton – Wildflowers
Merle Haggard – Mama Tried
Tanya Tucker – Delta Dawn
Shenandoah – Two Dozen Roses
Shania Twain – Any Man Of Mine
Brooks and Dunn – Boot Scootin' Boogie
Mel McDaniel – Louisiana Saturday Night
Travis Tritt – Country Club
Hank Williams Jr. – Family Tradition
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band – Fishing In The Dark
The Judds – Rockin' With The Rhythm of The Rain

FURTHER RESEARCH:

Country Retro Futurism is born out of fatigue from the facade created by emerging social and technological constructs. This movement is a response to aspirational exhaustion and an attempt to reconnect to simpler times.