Clever and Struggle Jennings Deliver a Heartfelt Ode to Home with New Duet "Kansas"
Few songs manage to blend raw honesty and poetic reflection as seamlessly as Clever’s latest offering, “Kansas.” Partnering with the ever-authentic Struggle Jennings, Clever delivers a deeply evocative duet that explores the universal longing for home and redemption. With lyrics that cut to the heart and a delivery that feels both intimate and monumental, “Kansas” is a testament to Clever’s rising star in country music and his ability to craft stories that resonate long after the last note fades.
Photo by Kevin Copeland (Opus Mercury)
The subtle yet powerful production by Ned Cameron wisely steps aside to let the poignant storytelling and contrasting vocal performances shine. Clever’s smooth, emotive delivery is perfectly counterbalanced by Struggle’s gritty, gravelly tone, creating a dynamic interplay that mirrors the song’s themes of duality: the push and pull of life’s challenges and the grounding force of love.
The track, penned by Clever, Struggle, and Zakk Garner, weaves vivid imagery and heartfelt vulnerability. Clever sings, “The moonlight whispering through the trees / I call it by name, begging please,” setting the stage for a reflective journey marked by scars and second chances. Struggle counters with his verse that digs into the darker roads traveled, singing, “Is it the white lines on the road? / Or the ones that are on the table?” These words hit hard, raw and unfiltered.
Anchoring the song is the line, “Life takes you places, love brings you home,” a sentiment as timeless as it is true. It echoes through the track, inviting listeners to reflect on their own journeys and the people and places that anchor them. Clever himself describes “Kansas” as a melding of two distinct yet complementary stories: “It's about the places that shape us, the people who ground us, and the feeling that no matter where life takes you, there's truly no place like home.”
This duet is a masterclass in wholehearted storytelling, proving that Clever’s transition into country music is not only seamless but groundbreaking. With “Kansas,” he and Struggle Jennings offer a deeply personal anthem that transcends genre boundaries, appealing to anyone who has ever felt the pull of home and the healing power of love. If you’re looking for a track that delivers emotional depth, lyrical brilliance, and a fresh perspective on country music’s enduring themes, “Kansas” is a must-listen. It’s a song that doesn’t just take you places—it brings you home.