You're right about slide guitar doesn't necessarily mean country, but listen to the song again after thinking about what we stereotypically associate with country music. Ani doesn't usually use slide guitar or that little twang in her voice, so in this when she uses it, it sticks out like dog's balls. I don't presume to to say definitely that's what she intended, but the links (if you look for them) are there.
You're right about slide guitar doesn't necessarily mean country, but listen to the song again after thinking about what we stereotypically associate with country music. Ani doesn't usually use slide guitar or that little twang in her voice, so in this when she uses it, it sticks out like dog's balls. I don't presume to to say definitely that's what she intended, but the links (if you look for them) are there.