Maren Morris is not a purely country artist. But what makes it okay is that she doesn't identify as purely country. Mislabeling is one of the biggest, if not THE biggest problem in country music right now — having clearly pop and R&B artists labeling themselves and their albums as country music. But Maren Morris does not participate in that. She labels herself as a singer/songwriter with influences of folk rock, indie pop and country, which is quite accurate. This EP is her first release since 2011, and has been the true start of her recording artist career.
As a songwriter, Maren Morris has been quite successful. She signed a publishing deal with Big Yellow Dog Music in 2013, and that has resulted in various cuts with many big name artists. Most recently, she had a cut on Kelly Clarkson's album Piece by Piece, Tim McGraws 2014 record Sundown Heaven Town, Ashley Gearing's new single "Train Track" and a song on the hit TV show Nashville. But her own music is what makes her stand out the most. She has a blend that is utterly unique. She's not a pop-country artist in the Kelsea Ballerini or Taylor Swift sense of the word. When she does her most country, like in her 2 millions streams on Spotify hit "My Church," she goes country, and the only influences being more bluesy than pop. But this EP also features songs that are pure pop, and songs that are more soulful than country. It's a mixture of difference influences and sounds that create a cohesive, but eclectic collection of 5 tracks.
"My Church" was Morris' breakthrough. Then song ended up racking up almost 3 million plays on the music streaming app Spotify, and was the true launch of this EP. When this EP was released, those fans acquired through that song then latched onto the other songs on this EP, bringing "80's Mercedes" to almost 1 million streams, and the other three songs to over 100,000 streams. This song itself is a bluesy country romp, a modern take on old school country. Morris sounds a bit like "Blowin' Smoke" by Kacey Musgraves, with the blues rock influences. Written by Maren Morris and busbee, this song talks about how music is her church and her religion, more than anything else. It's an interesting take on a country song, and this unique viewpoint has definitely paid off for Morris.
"My Church" was Morris' breakthrough. Then song ended up racking up almost 3 million plays on the music streaming app Spotify, and was the true launch of this EP. When this EP was released, those fans acquired through that song then latched onto the other songs on this EP, bringing "80's Mercedes" to almost 1 million streams, and the other three songs to over 100,000 streams. This song itself is a bluesy country romp, a modern take on old school country. Morris sounds a bit like "Blowin' Smoke" by Kacey Musgraves, with the blues rock influences. Written by Maren Morris and busbee, this song talks about how music is her church and her religion, more than anything else. It's an interesting take on a country song, and this unique viewpoint has definitely paid off for Morris.
The two true pop songs are "Drunk Girls Don't Cry and "80's Mercedes." The better of the two is the latter, which is the second most popular song of this collection. As a pop song, this is one of the best released this year. Written by the same duo that wrote "My Church," Morris boldly declares that she feels like "a hard to get starlet when I'm driving/ turning every head, hell I ain't even trying." The best part of the song, a line that has somewhat defined Morris' career over the last few months is the last part of the chorus:"I'm a 90's baby, in my 80's Mercedes." The production is addicting, and this is one song that is impossible to take off of repeat.
While these songs are all quite good and written beautifully, "I Wish I Was" is the most personal Morris ever gets by a considerable margin. Her soul influences are especially prevalent on this track, while Morris apologizes to a man that she wishes she could be with, but knows that she's not right for him. She pleads, "Cause you're looking for true love / and I'm not the one / but I wish, I wish I was." It's a powerful but catchy track that leads to the final track, "Company You Keep," which closes out the EP nicely.
Morris has released 3 independent records, and released this EP with Big Yellow Dog Music, until she announced she had signed with Colombia Nashville. She won the 2012 New Music Seminar's "Artist on the Verge" award, and that prediction is finally coming through. With widespread acclaim from fellow artists like Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum, Dan + Shay, Dave Barnes, Maddie & Tae, and friend Kacey Musgraves, and playing shows with country music superstars, Maren Morris is on her way to becoming a superstar herself.
Best tracks: My Church, 80's Mercedes, I Wish I Was
Throwaway tracks: none
Overall rating: 4 and a half crowns
While these songs are all quite good and written beautifully, "I Wish I Was" is the most personal Morris ever gets by a considerable margin. Her soul influences are especially prevalent on this track, while Morris apologizes to a man that she wishes she could be with, but knows that she's not right for him. She pleads, "Cause you're looking for true love / and I'm not the one / but I wish, I wish I was." It's a powerful but catchy track that leads to the final track, "Company You Keep," which closes out the EP nicely.
Morris has released 3 independent records, and released this EP with Big Yellow Dog Music, until she announced she had signed with Colombia Nashville. She won the 2012 New Music Seminar's "Artist on the Verge" award, and that prediction is finally coming through. With widespread acclaim from fellow artists like Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum, Dan + Shay, Dave Barnes, Maddie & Tae, and friend Kacey Musgraves, and playing shows with country music superstars, Maren Morris is on her way to becoming a superstar herself.
Best tracks: My Church, 80's Mercedes, I Wish I Was
Throwaway tracks: none
Overall rating: 4 and a half crowns
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