Country singer-songwriter Morgan Wallen is one of the biggest artists of any genre. The Tennessee-born star has had a rollercoaster of a career since the release of his 2018 debut album ‘If I Know Me’ but the one thing that has never waned is his popularity. If anything, the controversies that have dogged him the past few years have done nothing but increase his reach and fanbase. With the release 2021’s ‘Dangerous: The Double Album’, Wallen stepped into ambitious territory by packing 30 tracks onto the record. Less than a month after that album arrived, Wallen found himself at the centre of controversy after a drunken incident was caught on a video doorbell, leading to accusations of racism. It looked like his career might be over but despite the industry (briefly) turning its back on him, his fans went nowhere and ‘Dangerous’ went on to be certified 6x Platinum in the US alone.
2023’s ‘One Thing at a Time’ continued the trend started with ‘Dangerous: The Double Album’, and Wallen crafted 36 songs for the record. In many ways the record was a test to see if ‘Dangerous’ was a fluke but after it quickly soared to 7x Platinum in the US and gained ground for Wallen internationally, it became clear that there’s a huge divide between industry and fans. Last summer Wallen performed in the UK for the first time since his ‘One Night at a Time' Tour in 2023, taking to the stage at BST Hyde Park and breaking records in the process by headlining the biggest Country music show the UK has ever had. If you needed proof that Wallen is bigger than the Country music genre, and well on his way to becoming a global phenomenon, there it is.
A little over two years on from ‘One Thing at a Time’ and Wallen is back with fourth album “I’m the Problem”. This time around, the record has a whopping 37 tracks crammed into the track listing and prior to its release there has been plenty of debate over whether Wallen is going for quantity over quality. Of course, this isn’t something that fans are talking about, it’s a conversation by those determined to dismiss Wallen, which inevitably means the answer to that question is irrelevant. Wallen is a giant on streaming platforms and putting out this volume of music serves only to increase is success, and earn the 49 songwriters involved (50 if you include Wallen himself) and the producers (Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi and Jacob Durrett) a decent living.
So, the question on everyone’s lips is can Wallen maintain the momentum he’s built up? After listening to the 2-hour record all the way through, it’s clear that Wallen is unstoppable. Several tracks were released from the record prior to its arrival including the title track, which addresses the media’s perceptions of Wallen in a clever way by using the allegory of a relationship. One of the 22-tracks co-penned by Wallen, it’s a departure from his usual sound and it’s a strong start to the album. Other songs released ahead of the record include the recent ‘Superman’, a touching ode to Wallen’s son which sees the star addressing his shortcomings, the R&B leaning beat-driven ear-worm ‘Just in Case’ and the self-reflective ballad “I’m a Little Crazy”, which proves a traditional Country record is something Wallen could easily do in the future should he choose to.
With 37 tracks to digest, it’s impossible to discuss every single one in this review but what I will do is highlight some of the records most interesting moments. Rising popstar Tate McRae appears on ‘What I Want’, and interestingly the collaboration works well. On paper, you wouldn’t put the two artists together (and there’s been plenty of complaints from her fans) but the end result is a song that plays to Wallen’s strengths and pushes McRae into uncharted territory. Lyrically the song is about a couple who enjoy hook-ups but don’t pursue anything more serious. The acoustic-driven ‘Falling Apart’ finds a wistful Wallen owning his part of a relationship breaking down, ‘Eyes Are Closed’ mixes beats with a strong melody as Wallen asks an ex-lover if she’s happy that she chose another man, and ‘Kick Myself’ (surely a future single) is a radio-friendly exploration of Wallen trying to get his life together and put his vices to one side.
In terms of lyrics, there are some clever moments such as on “Where’d That Girl Go”, which is a moody slice of contemporary Country where Wallen reconnects with a lover that promised never to come back to him. ‘Genesis’ is filled with bible references in the first verse before Wallen sings about the temptations and bad behaviour that have defined his career. The Nicolle Galyon co-penned ‘Revelation’, one of the songs Wallen didn’t have a hand in, paints the picture of a man who is torn between right and wrong and it perfectly encapsulates Wallen’s life.
What are the album’s best moments? The shimmering ‘If You Were Mine’ pushes Wallen’s vocals as he soars on the mid-tempo chorus, ‘Come Back as a Redneck’ featuring HARDY is seemingly an answer-back to Wallen’s critics about his upbringing, and the Post Malone reteam “I Ain’t Comin’ Back” proves that when the two artists come together they make magic. The ballad ‘Drinking Til It Does’ is one of my favourite moments on the record. The stripped-down nature of the track gives way to a driving guitar riff and Wallen sounds fantastic. The rock-leaning, Country powerhouse moment of “Working Man’s Song” is another highlight and is sure to become a live favourite when Wallen takes this album on the road.
“I’m the Problem” is easily Wallen’s most introspective album to date. While he may not have had a hand in every single song, his life and feelings are evident throughout. The media likes to portray Wallen as a redneck hick that is detached from reality, but this album suggests that’s not who he is at all. “I’m the Problem” showcases an artist that is well aware of his shortcomings and not afraid to tackle them head on. Like us all, Wallen is far from perfect but as an artist he’s consistent and the quality of the songs on this record is high. I’m sure there’ll be plenty of complaints about the length of the album and plenty of his detractors won’t even bother to listen. If you do take the time though, you’ll find a confessional from an artist who is constantly challenging himself and not afraid to turn the lens of scrutiny on himself. Surely this is what artistry’s about and few artists, in any genre, could pull off a tour-de-force like this.
Track list: 1. I’m The Problem 2. I Got Better 3. Superman 4. What I Want (with Tate McRae) 5. Just in Case 6. Interlude 7. Falling Apart 8. Skoal, Chevy and Browning 9. Eyes Are Closed 10. Kick Myself 11. 20 Cigarettes 12. TN 13. Missing 14. Where’d That Girl Go 15. Genesis 16. Revelation 17. Number 3 and Number 7 (with Eric Church) 18. Kiss Her In Front Of You 19. If You Were Mine 20. Don’t We 21. Come Back as a Redneck (with HARDY) 22. Love Somebody 23. Dark Til Daylight 24. The Dealer (with ERNEST) 25. Leavin’s The Least I Could Do 26. Jack and Jill 27. I Ain’t Comin’ Back (with Post Malone) 28. Nothin’ Left 29. Drinking Til It Does 30. Smile 31. Working Man’s Song 32. Whiskey in Reverse 33. Crazy Eyes 34. LA Night 35. Miami 36. Lies Lies Lies 37. I’m a Little Crazy Record label: Big Loud Release date: 16th May 2025 Buy “I’m The Problem” now
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