Crys Matthews’ “Reclamation” Is a Bold Anthem of Identity, Justice, and Southern Pride

Crys Matthews, the award-winning singer-songwriter and social justice warrior, has returned with her most powerful and personal work yet: “Reclamation.” The album is a sonic and ideological triumph, a declaration of identity, and a reclamation of spaces long denied to marginalized voices.

With her signature blend of country, Americana, folk, blues, and bluegrass, Matthews delivers a collection of songs that are as musically rich as they are politically potent. 

“Reclamation” is a manifesto. As Matthews herself explains, “This album is both sonically and ideologically the fullest representation of who I am as an artist and as a human.” A preacher’s kid, a Black woman, a Butch lesbian, and a proud Southerner, Matthews uses her music to bridge divides and challenge norms.

She reclaims the spaces Black artists have been excluded from in country music and Americana, the voices LGBTQ individuals have been denied in faith communities, and the autonomy women have fought for over their own bodies. In general, she reclaims the South that shaped her, reframing its narrative with pride and purpose. 

“The Difference Between,” “The Bigger Picture,” “Clumsy,” “Suit and Tie,” and “Cancel Culture” are just some of the great pieces within this album produced by Levi Lowry (known for co-writing Zac Brown Band’s hit “Colder Weather”) and recorded at Nashville’s iconic Sound Emporium Studios.

“Reclamation” boasts an impressive lineup of collaborators. Matthews’ partner, Heather Mae, joins her on and off-stage, while fellow singer-songwriters Kyshona, Melody Walker, and Chris Housman lend their talents. The album also features some of Music City’s finest musicians, including Megan Coleman, Megan Elizabeth McCormick, and Ellen Angelico, creating a soundscape that is both lush and deeply rooted in tradition.

Crys Matthews has been hailed as a rising folk music star, but for her, the true measure of success lies in her mission: “to amplify the voices of the unheard, to shed light on the unseen, and to be a steadfast reminder that hope and love are the truest pathways to equity and justice.”

‍With “Reclamation,” Matthews made an album that is a call to action, a celebration of identity, and a testament to the power of art to inspire change. 

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