I’ll be honest, I really thought Brokeback Mountain would be the start and end of my experience with gay cowboys, but no. Recently they’ve been coming back into my life, first in the form of Lil Nas X, then with more force with Orville Peck, 2019’s seemingly overnight country star who wowed the country scene not only with his impeccable baritone voice but his entire image. LGBT+, stylish, and completely mysterious as nobody really knows who he is (Orville Peck is a pseudonym and he’s never shown his face publicly, constantly wearing a gorgeous leather and fringe mask), he is unignorable.

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2019’s seemingly overnight country star who wowed the country scene not only with his impeccable baritone voice but his entire image

His new single ‘Summertime’ showcases his voice and aesthetic perfectly, the track sounding like the musical version of an old Hollywood western while the music video epitomises his nature-focused goth cowboy style. This track has less of the Americana presence that came through on his debut album Pony, but retains the same authentic vibe, which is really what Peck is all about. Though he’s hiding himself from the world, there is no doubt that everything he sings about, everything he presents, is 100% his genuine self. The lyrics are fairly simple but complexity isn’t needed for the message of the song (yearning, metaphorical sunshine in the absence of any real nice weather, maybe some light field-frolicking) still comes through strongly in the lines and overall sound of the track. ‘Summertime’ is perfect to put yourself in a positive state of mind and prepare for some warmth that is hopefully coming sometime soon. 

‘Summertime’ is available now via Sub Pop Records

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