Kip Moore's new album, ‘Solitary Tracks' is out today – February 28th. At 23 tracks it is an intense and rewarding listen. You can read our review of the album and our thoughts on this project right here. However, we thought we'd also rank what we thought were the best 10 songs in case you wanted to start there and work backwards, just in case 23 tracks is just too much to cope with on first listen!
With ‘Solitary Tracks,' Moore enters new territory both sonically and lyrically. Co-produced with Jaren Johnston, Oscar Charles, and Jay Joyce, the album is a deeply personal exploration of solitude and transformation, split into two distinct halves—one acknowledging isolation and the other embracing change. This project sees Moore stripping back to his roots while pushing his artistry forward, embracing a more introspective yet bold approach.
Here are our favourite 10 tracks:
10. Alley Cat
A funky, bluesy track reminiscent of Moore’s third album ‘Slowheart' vibes. There are nice southern guitar riffs and a groovy, swampy solo here too. One of his biographical, unapologetic ‘this is me, take me as I am’ songs that really works well within the narrative of this particular album without overwhelming it.
9. Wildfire
Here we are getting debut album, ‘Hey Pretty Girl’ vibes as Moore declares ‘I’ll be your sex on fire’ to the object of his affection. It's an atmospheric, slow burn of a song with one of those patented Kip Moore repeating guitar lines and his arena-sized vocals building a huge chorus out of seemingly nothing.
8. Livin Side
Another quiet, intense song. ‘A cat's only got 9 lives, hell I burned through 7,’ Moore declares finally laying his demons and the things that haunt his past to rest. ‘Livin Side' is another song about living well, finding out who you are and not being constrained by the sins of your past. Steady drums, Moore’s husky vocals and a kind of Eric Church-esque vibe drive this song. There's a niggly, infectious melody here and a kind of quiet confidence that so many of the songs on this album have.
7. High Hopes
A quiet, restrained album opener finds Moore isolated, at odds with himself and the rest of the world. However the drums soon kick and we hear him declare that he has ‘High Hopes’ as the pace accelerates in a clever, anthemic way. ‘I’ve got one good hand but it’s barely hanging on the ropes,' he declares, setting the tone for the rest of the album: With Moore battered and bruised but certainly not beaten.
6. Burn
This banger opens with the classic Kip Moore tasteful, restrained guitar sound similar to many of the songs on his iconic ‘Up All Night’ debut album. Here we find him out in the backwoods of Kentucky, fishing, drinking Coors light and just chilling. ‘When it all goes left, take a hard right turn, I pray the fish still bite and the world don’t burn,’ he sings. He’s looking for the same peace and contentment we all are: It's hard to find that these days but Moore plays his part in this chilled out, powerful pean to going your own way and being yourself, another strong theme running through the whole album.
5. Forever is A Lie
Another quiet, intense, stripped back song that feels like it was recorded in one take live. Think Springsteen’s ‘Atlantic City’ for a sparse, haunting touchstone as Moore dispels the notion that things last forever – ‘winter came fast and your hand got cold’ he declares, mired in misery and ruminating on the transitory nature of life, love and everything around us.
4. Only Me
The album closer provides us with all manner of chugging guitars and U2-meets-Simple Minds-esque drama as Moore asks ‘where did everybody go? How’d I wind up here alone?’ There's a nice reference to Springsteen’s ‘Radio Nowhere’ as Moore searches for a connection to anyobdy in this chaotic and social media-driven world. The song mirrors the modern disconnect in our society and people's dislocation from each other in a powerful, yet insanely melodic way.
3. Solitary Tracks
This title track and statement song has acoustic beginnings channeling that classic 80s Springsteen sound as Moore follows that theme of being ‘forever on the outside, always looking in.' It’s an anthem for people on the fringe, outsiders and people following their own paths in life. Part Eric Church, part Springsteen, the chorus explodes in a wave of anthemic melody whilst the verses remain restrained, built around a steady drum beat, Moore's trademark repeating guitar patterns and atmospheric production.
2. Love and War
Here we revel in a big rock anthem with an 80s production edge to it. This one is for the fans of ‘Midnight Slow Dance.' Think Bryan Adams or Eddie Money jamming together using the classic U2 “I Still Haven’t Found What I'm Looking For' guitar line. Big drums, big chorus and a future live classic, nailed on. If he doesn't play this song on his UK tour in May we WILL riot!
1.Tough Enough
Moore veers into classic 80s Springsteen here on this uptempo declaration of love and loyalty. The song builds on a steady bed of drums and guitars to reach its melodic chorus that will delight fans of Springsteen’s vastly underrated ‘Tunnel of Love’ album. It's a restrained, melodic delight that’s both a promise and a pledge. ‘I’m man enough and I’ve got all the right stuff,’ he declares in true 1980s MTV – Breakfast Club – FM radio fashion. What a time machine of a song and perfectly placed on an intense and often introspective album to provide just the right amount of machismo.
Kip Moore's ‘Solitary Tracks' album is out today – February 28th. You can download it in all the usual places, buy vinyl from Amazon and read our review of the full project here.
