There was a moment after the turn of the century when Shania Twain faced doubt about her career, a period shadowed by a mysterious vocal cord issue that proved to be Lyme disease and its lingering echoes. It took years of rebuilding a studio space and a patient, determined approach to music before she could present a new project. The result was a comeback that felt earned and unmistakably hers as she released Now in 2017.
Shania Twain’s resurrection
Six years later, the Canadian icon—often cited as the best-selling woman in country-pop crossover history with Come On Over selling around 40 million copies—pushed forward with Queen of Me and a large tour. The plan leaned on selecting songs that would resonate with long-time fans while inviting new listeners through bold, contemporary production. The tour and the new material aimed to honor the artist’s past while asserting a stronger, more modern voice on stage and on record.
Giddy up. Across acoustic guitar textures in songs that recall her roots and the lively tempo of Not Just a Girl, the music invites listeners to tilt their heads back and feel the momentum of the moment. It’s a celebration that nods to country influences without losing the pop-forward energy that has always defined Twain’s appeal. The result is an album that sounds like a natural evolution, not a radical reinvention.
Twain remains a magnetic pop signal, but she also sharpens her delivery with collaborators that broaden the palette. The collaboration with Tyler Joseph of Twenty One Pilots adds a contemporary edge, while the historical chemistry with producer Robert Mutt Lange is acknowledged through the lens of growth rather than repetition. The narrative threads in her work carry messages of self-empowerment, often laced with humor or playful self-awareness. The centerpiece title track showcases a confident, sovereign persona, declaring independence and agency with a wink and a punchy bite that nods to older anthems while sounding very current: a woman who commands her own resources and refuses to rely on others for validation.
meaningful as always
Even as Twain openly discusses the changes in her voice since her illness, the overall impression is vivid and compelling. The modern tools of rehabilitation and studio technology illuminate her performance rather than obscure it. Several tracks reveal a quiet strength, with melodic hooks that lodge in memory and verses that reveal the patient craft behind her artistry. Among the standout moments are tunes with brisk energy and memorable cadences, paired with contemplative lines about growth and heartache, offering a balanced portrait of an artist who continues to refine her message. The repertoire reflects a broad spectrum, connecting new fans such as Harry Styles, Kacey Musgraves, and Taylor Swift with a veteran audience that has followed Twain for decades.