Miranda Lambert has officially launched her 11th studio album, Crisco,a project that trades her signature heartbreak for disco-infused joy. The release arrives on the heels of significant industry milestones, including seven CMA nominations and the massive crossover success of "Choosin' Texas."
The 6x platinum momentum of "Choosin' Texas"
The recent success of "Choosin' Texas" has provided a massive tailwind for Lambert’s new musical direction. As the report notes, the track—performed by Ella Langley and co-written by Lambert—has achieved six-times platinum status and was named Billboard's 2026 Song of the Summer. This hit helped Langley become the first woman to simultaneously top the Billboard Hot 100, Hot Country Songs, and Country Airplay charts, marking a historic moment for the genre.
This commercial dominance serves as more than just a chart achievement; it represents a shift in how country music interacts with global pop audiences. Lambert’s involvement in the track, which she co-produced on Langley's album Dandelion, suggests a growing role for the singer as a mentor and architect of the genre's next era. The song's ability to feel both "fresh" and "familiar" has allowed it to dominate the airwaves in a way few country songs have in recent years.
How Chris Stapleton’s Grammy-nominated duet sparked a disco era
The creative shift toward the "boogie-forward" sounds of Crisco was reportedly catalyzed by a specific collaboration with Chris Stapleton. The duo recorded "A Song To Sing," a track that earned two Grammy Award nominations and served as a stylistic bridge for Lambert. According to the source, this song—which acts as a modern version of "Islands in the Stream"—encouraged Lambert to move away from her traditional "three chords and the truth" roots toward more experimental territory.
The influence of country legends is also woven into the fabric of the new project. During the recording of the Stapleton duet, Lambert reportedly wore Dolly Parton's hoop earrings, a gesture that she says inspired the entire project. This blend of traditional respect and modern experimentation defines the "rhinestone world" described in the album's title track.. By incorporating sweeping strings and dance-floor energy, Lambert is attempting to honor the roots of the genre while pushing it into new, more rhythmic spaces.
Reconciling with Kacey Musgraves on "Horses and Divorces"
Beyond the musical evolution, Crisco marks a period of personal and professional reconciliation within the Nashville community. Lambert has used the opportunity to address past tensions with Kacey Musgraves, specifically through their collaboration on the track "Horses and Divorces" from Musgraves' Middle of Nowhere album.
Lambert attributed previous friction to the "crazy grind" and competitive nature of the music industry during the early stages of a career. as the report highlights, the two artists have moved past these issues, with Lambert describing their current relationship as "whiskey under the bridge now." This move signals a broader trend of female artists in country music finding more space to collaborate rather than compete, a sentiment Lambert echoed when noting that there is finally "room for everyone" on the modern charts.
The mystery behind the "Choosin' Texas" global takeover
Despite the overwhelming success of her recent work, certain aspects of Lambert's current trajectory remain unverified or unexplained. While "Choosin' Texas" has become a global phenomenon, Lambert herself admitted she can only guess why the song resonated so deeply with the American public. the source notes that while the song explores the pain of falling out of love, its massive popularity seems to stem from a quality that even its creators cannot fully define.
Furthermore, while the album features heavy involvement from longtime collaborator Natalie Hemby—who co-wrote five tracks, including "Snakeskin Boots"—it remains to be seen how traditionalist fans will react to this departure from her "fiery" and "heartbreak" catalog. The industry is watching to see if this "country-disco" hybrid can maintain the same longevity as her previous, more traditional country releases, or if it will be viewed as a singular, experimental moment in her career.
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