Florida Georgia Line released their fourth studio album, Can’t Say I Ain’t Country, on February 14. The record made it to number one on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart after selling 29,000 albums in its first week. The duo, Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard, is known for mixing pop sounds with their country style, exemplified in their 2012 hit “Cruise.” Another one of their biggest hits is their 2018 collaboration with Bebe Rexha, “Meant to Be.” The album is overflowing with 19 tracks, and the performers have taken a turn from the traditional Nashville country record. The album includes many different sounds such as R&B and folk, appealing to the group’s pop fanbase. The mix of various sounds and styles creates some unlikely pairings, but also a new and creative vibe.

Can’t Say I Ain’t Country is a defensive response to critics who have accused Florida Georgia of being fake country artists, in an attempt to boost their credibility within the industry. With lyrics “you can say I’m a redneck, you can say you don’t like my truck, but you can’t say I’m not country,” they begin the album with the notion that such accusations are untrue

Perhaps in reaction to the assertion that they aren’t “country enough,” in addition to their music, the album includes four skits. The first skit, “Tyler Got Him A Tesla,” starts off the album with Tyler Hubbard being teased about his new truck, as if to hammer home their status as good ‘ole boys. The album’s songs have also been written to support this sentiment.

The album embodies modern southern culture through its words, and includes anthems about partying and romance as many country albums do.

The lead single entitled “Simple,” is a love song that has bits of folk and rock in its verses and chorus. The song embodies the country lifestyle, with the heavy hitting banjo that is continued in “Y’all Boys” featuring HARDY, causing listeners to feel like they’re driving down an old dirt road. “Women,” which features Jason Derulo, is a ballad about the appreciation of women with the lyrics “Women, beautiful women, we’re all better off with them right by our side,” which is a classic in most of today’s male country music. The song “Told You” contains elements of soul and blues, making it one of the more relaxed, laid-back sounding songs from the album. On the other hand, “Speed of Love” is much more fast-paced as it includes rock elements. The album’s most hip hop and R&B like songs “Talk You Out of It” and “Small Town” mix drumming and vocal tics with country instruments, creating some of their best mixed genre songs.

“Can’t Hide Red,” Featuring Jason Aldean, proclaims the duo’s southern roots as a staple to their identity. In track 8, “People Are Different,” they voice their appreciation for diversity and different groups of people by encouraging acceptance among all groups and lifestyles. “Blessings” closes the album with a thoughtful narrative song reflecting on the beauty and happiness in their lives, sounding almost like a love letter to their wives.

Florida Georgia Line’s Can’t Say I Ain’t Country is a balance of classic country and modern country pop. It is some of the group’s best work to date and proves that they are more than just a “bro country” band with big hits. However, their so called bro country style is still alive, and helped them headline three sould out stadium shows with the backstreet boys. Florida Georgia line’s entire career may not be free of basic bro country, Can’t Say I Ain’t Country is a strong effort to convince listeners otherwise.