Shaboozey’s new album, The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales, is an ambitious Western concept record built around a sheriff’s daughter seeking revenge after her father’s murder, only to fall for one of the killers. The review sees it as evidence that the Virginia-raised Nigerian American artist wants to build a lasting artistic identity beyond the success of his 2024 hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”.

Across 20 tracks, the album blends outlaw country, honky-tonk, acoustic ballads and rap-influenced crossovers, with appearances from Sam Elliott, Teyana Taylor, Jamie Foxx, Leon Bridges, Kehlani and Gunna. The reviewer says the narrative is more suggested than fully developed and that the album can overdo its rugged authenticity, but praises songs including “High Noon”, “Cowgirl” and “Born to Die” for giving Shaboozey’s country-rap style greater flexibility.