There are very few times in the genre that an album release feels like an event, but there is absolutely no doubt that Post Malone’s F-1 Trillion feels like one. Much in the way that a new Avengers film had an incredible amount of anticipation, a communal viewing experience and online discourse, F-1 Trillion shares a striking similarity. With the likes of legends such as Dolly Parton and Hank Williams, Jr. as well as modern superstars, Luke Combs and Morgan Wallen, appearing throughout the record, it feels like it’s bound to be one of the biggest country albums ever regardless of critical success.
With 14 featured artists, 27 songs and an hour and a half runtime when you include the surprise Long Bed version, there’s a lot to digest in F-1 Trillion. The question that remains is: How do they all stack up?
Here’s my ranking of all 27 songs on F-1 Trillion.
27. Ain’t How It Ends
One song had to be last, and unfortunately, it’s “Ain’t How It Ends.” It’s not a bad song by any stretch of the imagination, but it definitely feels like one of the most forgettable ones. Despite some fun, slick references to country legends “making the rules” for breakup songs in the genre, the track fades to the background of this mammoth record.
26. Wrong Ones (feat. Tim McGraw)
Sonically, “Wrong Ones” is quite strong, having a sultry, rocking sound throughout. Tim McGraw’s verse derails my enjoyment of the track, however. From the multiple references to his songs (“Real Good Man” and “Don’t Take The Girl”) to the “six pack and a farmer’s tan” line, it simply felt a little cringey to me.
25. Guy For That (feat. Luke Combs)
I really wanted to love this one, especially since Post and Combs have been teasing a collaboration for seemingly ages. However, “Guy For That” feels a bit lackluster. Between the repetition in the chorus that feels a bit droning at times and its short nature, the track ultimately leaves you wanting more than it truly has to offer.
24. Have The Heart (feat. Dolly Parton)
It feels downright criminal to have a song featuring the legend herself, Dolly Parton, this low; however, I simply cannot stand the processing added to her vocals. While I think she sounds great on the harmonies, her vocals sound uncharacteristically off in the verse.
Parton’s voice simply does not suit this type of song, in my opinion. I wish we would have seen her featured on a ballad in the vein of “Never Love You Again.”
23. Losers (feat. Jelly Roll)
I’m not going to start a “this isn’t country” debate in this ranking. With that being said, however, I feel like “Losers” would have fit better in Post’s previous outings such as Hollywood’s Bleeding or Austin. It’s not a bad song by any stretch of the imagination, but it’s easily one of the most forgettable ones on the record.
22. Pour Me A Drink (feat. Blake Shelton)
“Pour Me A Drink” is a fun enough drinking song that I don’t find myself ever coming back to personally. While I absolutely wouldn’t mind hearing this playing at a bar on a Saturday night, I don’t think it has the staying power that the other songs have throughout F-1 Trillion.
21. Hide My Gun (feat. HARDY)
Similarly to “Guy For That,” “Hide My Gun” has great verses that set up a lackluster chorus. While I think the chorus here works better, it still doesn’t quite hit the way it should. I wish there was a little more weight in the production to complement the lyrics.
20. Two Hearts
Despite some nice fiddle and mandolin interwoven throughout, I can’t help but feel that “Two Hearts” is one of the more boring tracks on F-1 Trillion. Feeling like your standard country breakup song, it doesn’t do enough melodically to draw me back in for multiple listens.
19. What Don’t Belong To Me
There’s no denying that “What Don’t Belong To Me” is one of the most pop-influenced tracks on the record, but it works well. It has one of the most melodic choruses present throughout F-1 Trillion and contains one of my personal favorite lyrics on the album, “I wish I could give you the best, ’cause you deserve much more than this hole in my chest.”
18. I Had Some Help (feat. Morgan Wallen)
It feels like there’s truly no perfect place to put “I Had Some Help” on this ranking. For the “that ain’t country” crowd, the only place to put it would be last. For the Morgan Wallen superfans, the only place to put it would be first. Ultimately, I think that it’s a perfectly fine song that is undoubtedly catchy.
While I’ll be the first one to admit that it’s not quite the song for me, there’s no denying that it accomplished exactly what it set out to do. It’s not trying to be an introspective, complex song. It’s a fun, summer song, and that’s truly all it needed to be.
17. Fallin’ In Love
The opening track for the surprise Long Bed section of the record is an incredibly pleasant listen. Post’s falsetto on the chorus sounds great. It’s a simple song on its surface, but it works well as a fun, light love song to kick off the solo additions to the project.
16. Devil I’ve Been (feat. ERNEST)
One of the biggest surprises on the album, “Devil I’ve Been,” contains some of the most memorable guitar work throughout F-1 Trillion. The acoustic riff that plays throughout pairs incredibly well with the subtle mandolin, giving the song a plucky feel that connects with the narrative throughline of Post changing for the better.
15. Back To Texas
Easily one of the most classic-sounding country songs on the record, “Back To Texas” is an absolute delight to listen to. With a driving fiddle and steel, it perfectly captures that classic Texas country sound that was popularized by the likes of George Strait.
14. Finer Things (feat. Hank Williams, Jr.)
Serving as the pseudo title track, “Finer Things” feels like the superior version of “Wrong Ones.” Though we once again hear Hank Jr. reference himself multiple much in the vein of McGraw, his verse simply works better in the context of the song. It’s also incredible how good ‘ol Bocephus sounds on this, sounding like he did back in the 80s.
13. Missin’ You Like This (feat. Luke Combs)
Fortunately, the second collaboration between Post and Combs on F-1 Trillion is much more successful than the pre-released “Guy For That.” There’s no denying that “Missin’ You Like This” is a certified heartbreak heater. Post and Combs capture the feeling of regret and longing incredibly well here.
12. Goes Without Saying (feat. Brad Paisley)
My Brad Paisley bias is definitely showing putting “Goes Without Saying” this high, but I can’t help but love it. I particularly love the wordplay on the chorus with the twist on the “goes without saying” phrase; it feels very Brad Paisley despite him not writing the song.
With that being said, I wish that Paisley would have had an extended guitar solo here. It goes without saying (no pun intended) that he’s one of the greatest guitarists in country music history, and it feels like a bit of a letdown to not let him let loose on his song here on F-1 Trillion.
11. Nosedive (feat. Lainey Wilson)
Easily one of the lyrical standouts on F-1 Trillion, “Nosedive” is going to be a smash hit for Post and Wilson. As mentioned in “Devil I’ve Been,” when Post is writing about enjoying the process of becoming a better person and finding joy in the hardships, he is at his best. The lyrics coupled with the pair’s vocals make “Nosedive” one of the standouts here.
10. Go To Hell
Another certified Texas banger, “Go To Hell” has plenty of fiddle and steel to satisfy even the most hesitant listener of the album. It’s clear that Post is in his sweet spot when he’s recording ’80s and ’90s-inspired songs, and it shows here.
9. California Sober (feat. Chris Stapleton)
Though I wish that there would have been a bit more going on here lyrically, there’s no doubt that “California Sober” is a certified romp. Stapleton’s world-class vocals feel more charismatic than ever here. The pair’s chemistry coupled with some of the most memorable instrumentation on the album make “California Sober” a must-listen.
8. Dead At The Honky Tonk
Another lyrical standout, “Dead At The Honky Tonk” is a unique perspective on heartbreak and alcoholism. The melodic chorus coupled with some fantastic production throughout make it one of the standouts on the record. Though I don’t see it making the waves that many of the collaborative songs are, “Dead At The Honky Tonk” feels like one of the most timeless tracks on the record.
7. M-E-X-I-C-O (feat. Billy Strings)
A song about lost love, drugs and guns, “M-E-X-I-C-O” feels like it has all the makings of a classic 2000s comedy. Its ridiculous concept and story coupled with Post’s vocal delivery make it one of the most flat-out fun narrative songs I’ve heard in quite a long time. Though I wish that Billy Strings’ out-of-this-world guitar playing was featured a bit more, it’s still here, and it’s phenomenal as always.
6. Hey Mercedes
“Hey Mercedes” is undoubtedly going to be the project’s sleeper hit. There is absolutely no doubt in mind that this would have been an absolute smash in the late ’90s. It’s easily one of the most melodic songs on the project with the chorus just begging you to sing along.
5. Right About You
I’m a sucker for songs that reflect on an artist’s career, and that’s exactly what “Right About You” is about. It’s such an earnest reflection about how his music, lyrics and life have changed since meeting his fiancé; I can’t help but appreciate its honesty and positivity.
4. Who Needs You
If you told me that this was a forgotten George Strait song that Post recorded for the album, I would have absolutely believed it. From a pure sonic perspective, “Who Needs You” is the absolute standout here on F-1Trillion. It’s one of those songs that simply transports you back to the ’80s, and you can’t help but just bask in the musicianship present.
3. Killed A Man
Half murder ballad, half sobriety lament, “Killed A Man” is easily the most fascinating song lyrically. Though it’s framed as a fairly standard murder ballad on its surface, it becomes clear that there’s a lot more going on in the track than meets the eye.
It’s evident that the man that Post killed is a metaphor for addiction, and I can’t help but sit back and appreciate the framing of the song. There are plenty of powerful tracks about addiction in the genre, but I’ve never quite heard one written from this perspective.
2. Never Love You Again (feat. Sierra Ferrell)
I fell in love with “Never Love You Again” from the moment he debuted it at the ACMs back in April. When it was revealed that the criminally underrated Sierra Ferrell was going to appear in the studio version, it felt like an absolute dream come true. While I do wish that she was featured a bit more prominently, there’s absolutely no denying that this is one of the best songs on the record.
If there were any doubts that Post was not going to deliver traditional country music on F-1 Trillion, “Never Love You Again” put all those doubts away. The track is as traditional as they come, filled to the brim with some gorgeous, crying steel guitar throughout.
1. Yours
It’s cliché to call a song timeless, but there is absolutely no doubt that “Yours” is one. There have been plenty of father-daughter songs in the genre, but that doesn’t discount the sheer beauty of “Yours.” It feels incredibly authentic, caring and most importantly, vulnerable. Though I’m not a father, this song gets to me in a way that not many do. I’d imagine this track hits fathers incredibly hard.
I’d expect this to be played at weddings for years to come, it’s simply that powerful.