Shaboozey – ‘The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales’ review: an ambitious, cinematic tale of love and vengeance

The past two years have been life-changing for country-fusion star Shaboozey. Waking up to two features on Beyoncé’s 2024 album ‘Cowboy Carter’, an unprecedented cosign of dreams, came first. Weeks later, his breakthrough hit ‘A Bar Song (Tipsy)’ topped the Billboard Hot 100 and his third album, ‘Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going’, released to critical acclaim. There was no denying it – Shaboozey had arrived. READ MORE: Growth, girlhood, and getting down: for FLO, ‘Therapy At The Club’ captures the spirit of life and love in your twenties Yet such a spotlight comes with heightened expectations. Shaboozey’s acceptance speech as the first Black male artist to win a Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance was met with scrutiny from Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr, who felt his remark that “immigrants build this country” – an homage to his Nigerian roots – overlooked the contribution of Black slaves. With more eyes and responsibility upon him, releasing a 20-track concept album is a bold move. “This is a tale about revenge and what lengths a woman would go to get hers,” says Jamie Foxx on the intro to ‘The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales’, warning...