Country music duo Maddie & Tae dove into the music world this August with their debut album “START HERE,” featuring their hit songs “”Fly” and “Girl in a Country song,” originally released as singles. Though they are undoubtedly gifted singers and songwriters, their style is nothing new for long-time country fans.

Maddie & Tae, born in 1995 in Sugarland, TX and Ada, OK, respectively, grew up listening to 90s country music that inspired their blend of the country and pop genres. Maddie & Tae’s songs, notably “Fly” and “Downside of Growing Up,” capitalize on the ever-growing interest in inspirational country music. Their music tells stories everyone can relate to, such as leaving home for the first time and boys who just cannot seem to take a hint. “Girl in a Country Song” is a humorous yet sincere critique about the over-sexualization of women in “boy country”* music. In their music video, Maddie & Tae flip the roles of women and men: men wear bikini tops and half-fastened overalls while the girls perch on truck beds, waiting for their drinks and entertainment.

Maddie & Tae’s music fits in well with songs from country stars such as Reba McEntire and Carrie Underwood. However, this is where the problem lies. Because their songs are so similar to other artists, their songs fade into the background and are hard to distinguish from other country songs. Their southern drawls blend in with the countless other country belles and their twangy voices fail to stand out amongst the crowd.

Maddie & Tae’s music is enjoyable to listen to and their overlapping voices create beautiful harmonies, but for those who have been around the block with country music, Maddie & Tae’s music offers no surprises.

*Boy country is the stereotypical country music: beer, trucks, and women