Valentina Palomino, SUNY Old Westbury

Your taste in music is oftentimes reflective of who you are as a person.

Melissa Wade, Northern Arizona University

Country music often gets a bad rap, sometimes for legitimate reasons. However, there is a lot of good country music out there that even country haters might enjoy.

Karina Rojas, University of Texas at San Antonio

Although the man himself has passed on, his musical portraits of those who live on the margins continue to resonate.

Jordan Oulela, University of Texas at San Antonio

Although the re-recordings of ‘Fearless’ and ‘Red’ were met with overwhelmingly positive reactions, copyright and trademark cases may prevent other highly anticipated albums from releasing any time soon.

Angelica Rovinski, Arcadia University

The Nashville-based musical artist is renowned for his talent for mixing up genres to create fresh, modern renditions of the old.

Virginia Laurie, Washington and Lee University

These macabre, ‘dark country’ soundtracks are bound to stick with you and make you think about the American South in a different light.

Julianna Steen, Auburn University

If you’re planning on heading to the city, check out the list below for some super fun activities to do while you’re there!

Kieran Benson, Luther College

The American singer-songwriter’s latest song is both nostalgic and fresh, reminding listeners of the musical ingenuity that she has always had.

Tanisha Bhat, Boston University

Except for Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want For Christmas,’ most contemporary Christmas songs aren’t very well known. Here are some excellent candidates for a new ‘Christmas classics’ list.

Olivia Dimond, Bates College

The two women have turned the tables on a music genre that’s usually dominated by men.

Tess McGrinder, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

While arguments over music may seem trivial to some, learning to accept genres outside of your usual taste can lead to an open mind in other areas of your life.

Julia Greene, Columbia College Chicago

The artist’s renowned songwriting has gone from red to monochrome to the full spectrum of colors to create vivid imagery in every line.

Audrey Martin, Boston University

Playlists are king on the streaming platform. These five users take their playlist curation to the next level.

Nora Markey, Wesleyan University

The singer’s latest album, an unexpected surprise from isolation, is an ode to storytelling with empathetic lyrics and mystical sounds.

Nora Markey, Wesleyan University

On their latest album, the band embraces the complexities of divorce and heartbreak with a radical vulnerability that enchants every listener.

Yasmeen Ludy, University of Michigan

Will the real Lady A please stand up? Lady Antebellum renamed themselves to shed racist connotations, but didn’t realize their chosen moniker was taken.

Nora Markey, Wesleyan University

The famous country singer, who has been called the Great Unifier, has a diverse group of fans because of her all-encompassing love for humanity.

Nora Markey, Wesleyan University

While country music has grown overproduced and glamorous, this young, gritty musician embodies the traditions that built the genre.

Kali Johnson, Gustavus Adolphus College

The Canadian singer took the world by storm, and now with a newfound voice, she is determined to defeat the odds set upon her by the media.

Katherine McLaughlin, The New School

The genre gets a bad rap, but those willing to dig deeper will find some clever ways of composing tight, compelling stories.

Bradford Smith, Louisiana State University

The outspoken critic of the country music industry has returned with an experimental tour de force of an album.

Emma Lichtenstein, Brandeis University

Her new single finds the country singer caught between her Tennessee home and the fast-paced life of Los Angeles.

Kayla Carson, Simon Fraser University

Skip Coachella. Here’s why these festivals with under 10,000 attendees are the best.

Kristin Auld, St John’s University

The pop star’s presence was inescapable.

Cameron Rapata, Columbia College Chicago

The supergroup gives traditional outlaw country a powerful, all-female twist.

Rebecca McKinley Parsons, Wake Forest University

Giddy up boys, Spacey Kacey is the new sheriff in town.

Madison Feser, Seton Hall University

It’s not all about trucks, beers and hometown girls.

Michael Wu, Case Western Reserve University

She might be an award-winning musician, but country fans are hesitant to embrace the left-leaning songwriter.

Kiersten Lynch, Seton Hall University

Originality is overrated.

Sema’Jay Hall, San Francisco State University

Despite multiple sexual-harassment allegations, Webster has managed to remain out of the spotlight, a problematic sign for the country music industry.

Eliana DuBosar, Florida State University

As unpopular as some of her actions may have been over the years, there’s a lot to learn from Miley Cyrus.

Kathryn Parker, Fordham University

After being chosen as the first-ever recipient of a scholarship from Miranda Lambert, Vaus has begun racking up accolades as both a songwriter and performer.