Post Malone’s Country Pivot Tops Charts. What Should His Next Move Be?

Post Malone donned a cowboy hat and dominated the charts. On this week’s Billboard 200, dated Aug. 31, his new album F-1 Trillion blasted in at No. 1 with 250,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. in the week ending Aug. 22, according to Luminate. F-1 Trillion is Post Malone’s third career No. 1 album. Notably, this full-length is a complete country project, a departure from his last two chart-toppers.

A slew of country greats helped Post Malone with the project, several of whom debut alongside him on this week’s Hot 100. Eighteen songs from F-1 Trillion made it to the chart, including every collaboration. “I Had Some Help” with Morgan Wallen remains ahead of the pack, logging another week at No. 2 on the Hot 100, after previously spending six nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1.

What’s behind Post Malone’s country switch-up? And what genre should he explore next?

Jessica Nicholson: An 8. With this being his first official foray into the country genre, this is a great accomplishment, especially given that the solo tracks on his Long Bed extension of the album lean into Texas swing, honky tonk, and 2000s country. Still, the numbers could be higher, considering the big-name collaborations on the album.

Jason Lipshutz: A 9. Post Malone got his groove back with F-1 Trillion. This country album was boosted by a big hit in “I Had Some Help,” but the debut of 250,000 equivalent album units shows that fans wanted to explore this new side of his artistry. This performance suggests that his time in the spotlight will persist well past his previous commercial peaks.

Katie Atkinson: 10. He went outside his typical lane, assembled country music’s Avengers, and came into release week with a six-week Hot 100 No. 1 lead single. What’s not to be happy about? This country pivot has been welcomed warmly by the music-buying public, and his country era could extend beyond one album.

Lyndsey Havens: 1 trillion out of 10. Metrics aside, this project is something Texas native Post Malone has wanted to make for most of his career. While he had collaborations with superstars on Hollywood’s Bleeding, the features on F-1 Trillion mean more. The country community not only rallied behind him but wanted to be part of it, and that’s worth celebrating.

Melinda Newman: An 8. A No. 1 album is always a No. 1 album, regardless of sales and streaming numbers. After missing the mark with Austin and Twelve Carat Toothache, Post has to be happy to reach the summit again. He’s also got to be thrilled that all the tracks charted on the Hot 100, thanks to streaming.

Jessica Nicholson: No. He has connected with both the Nashville industry and country music fans. The album includes collaborations with a range of country artists, highlighting his respect for the genre. He’s shown up at nearly every Nashville country music venue and connected with fans at events like Stagecoach. That intentionality in connecting with fans goes a long way.

Jason Lipshutz: Not if you listened to “I Had Some Help” and heard how naturally Post’s voice adapted to a country-pop sound. The ease with which he entered that lane suggested he could maintain that stance for a full country album, especially with established genre stars flanking him.

Katie Atkinson: Absolutely not. The genre lines are very blurred now. Post is from Texas, and the smartest thing he did was to collaborate with more than a dozen of country music’s biggest stars to co-sign his Nashville bona fides.

Lyndsey Havens: Not at all. Post has shown his range from the start. His breakout hip-hop hit “White Iverson” fit perfectly alongside an acoustic ballad on his debut album Stoney. His songwriting foreshadowed his pivot to country, and it’s no wonder he’s having such success.

Melinda Newman: Not at all. Country is having a moment, and Post Malone’s timing was perfect. He put in the work, spent months in Nashville, and immersed himself in the country music scene.

Jessica Nicholson: His Blake Shelton collaboration “Pour Me a Drink” is currently at No. 13 on the Hot 100. The song is also in the top 15 on the Country Airplay chart and No. 3 on the Hot Country Songs chart. He recently released a video with Luke Combs for their track “A Guy For That,” which is at No. 7 on the Hot Country Songs chart. Additionally, the Jelly Roll collaboration “Losers” could dominate.

Jason Lipshutz: “California Sober” with Chris Stapleton debuted at No. 34 on this week’s Hot 100. The song is fun to yell along to in a windows-down situation, and Stapleton hasn’t had a true pop crossover moment recently. This could be his ticket to the Hot 100’s upper reaches.

Katie Atkinson: The gritty opening track “Wrong Ones” with Tim McGraw has my vote for the chorus alone. It needs to be on country radio immediately. McGraw, who has been making country music for 30 years, is due for another hit.

Lyndsey Havens: While previous pop-leaning country singles like “Pour Me a Drink” or “A Guy For That” feel like obvious picks, I’m rooting for “California Sober” with Chris Stapleton. But then there’s the downtrodden anthem “Losers” with Jelly Roll… With so many songs to choose from, it’s still a toss-up for me.

Melinda Newman: Both “Pour Me A Drink” with Blake Shelton and “A Guy For That” with Luke Combs are already getting airplay. If you’re looking for what fits country radio now, I’d pick “Devil I’ve Been” with ERNEST, or “Nosedive” with Lainey Wilson. However, I’d love to see “California Sober” with Chris Stapleton get a shot. It doesn’t sound like most radio hits now, but it’s great for car listens.

Jessica Nicholson: He knows his way around Texas swing and honky tonk anthems. Adding fellow Texans like Miranda Lambert or “King George” Strait to a track would be superb.

Jason Lipshutz: Sam Hunt would be a great match. A Post Malone contribution to a snappy country anthem like “Body Like a Back Road” would be intriguing.

Katie Atkinson: I’m stunned that Kacey Musgraves isn’t on this album. Her syrupy-sweet vocals next to his gravelly vibrato would be the perfect yin and yang.

Lyndsey Havens: Right now, I’d have to say Shaboozey. The two could create an absolute smash that blends their voices and fuses country and Americana with a hint of hip-hop.

Melinda Newman: I’d love to see him team up with fellow Texan George Strait. It would also be exciting to hear him duet with Garth Brooks.

Jessica Nicholson: Continuing to explore country music and cementing his place in the genre beyond one album would be a smart move. There are many modern country hits that aren’t far from Post’s indie-pop sound. A hybrid project could be an interesting idea.

Jason Lipshutz: Try something new entirely. Post Malone has already mined hip-hop and country to great success. He has a chameleonic ability to blend into any scene. A rock opus, pop classic, jazz album, or metal album could all be surprisingly good.

Katie Atkinson: Do whatever you want! Post Malone is a man of multitudes and a natural fit in many worlds. I want to be along for the ride wherever he shows up next.

Lyndsey Havens: I’ve long wanted Post to release a folk album as Austin Post. His Dylan cover has stuck with me for years, and continuing to explore a folk-pop sound would be great.

Melinda Newman: I’d love to see where he goes if he keeps exploring country. The nine songs he released the day after F-1 Trillion under F-1 Trillion: Long Bed are way more traditionally country. He has a fine voice for country, and leaning in that direction could be exciting.