Shocking news! Country music's ‘sad emo cowgirl' is sad no longer! Yep, you read that right. Whilst there is still a great deal of heartache, angst and anger towards that chunk of the male population who are jerks on Megan Moroney's second album, ‘Am I Okay?' there is also a great deal of evolution, complexity, nuance and, dare I even say, happiness as well!
Just over a year on from the release of her debut album, ‘Lucky,' Megan Moroney is back with another set of songs. What a year she's had – critical and commercial success, overseas shows and the building and nurturing of a loyal and dedicated fan base. A native of Savannah, Georgia, Moroney moved to Nashville in 2020 after connecting with fellow Georgia musician Kristian Bush of Sugarland. An EP entitled ‘Pistol Made of Roses' soon followed as did debut album, ‘Lucky' and a number one song with the iconic ‘Tennessee Orange.' Bush has returned to produce Moroney's second album and you can hear his hand at play a little in production and evolution of Moroney's sound as he brings in a little Billy Pilgrim meets Avril Lavigne vibe on a number of the songs without ever sacrificing that plaintive pedal steel that Moroney has become known for.
‘Am I Okay?' delves deeply into themes of heartbreak, resilience and empowerment, presenting a nuanced and relatable collection of songs that showcase Moroney's evolving sound and lyrical prowess. The album opens with the titular track ‘Am I Okay?' which sets a tone of surprising optimism. The chugging guitars and steady drumbeat create an upbeat backdrop as she reflects on the unexpected joy of finding someone who communicates well. The catchy chorus and gang vocals amplify the message that the “sad emo cowgirl” phase of Moroney's career might well be over, highlighting a sense of hope and renewal.
‘Third Time’s the Charm' continues this theme of newfound love and positivity. With its mid-tempo pace and tasteful production, Moroney sings about the excitement and hopefulness of a new relationship. The strong, singalong chorus emphasises her belief that this time, things might be different. This track, along with the upbeat ‘Man on the Moon,' where Moroney humorously declares “it's time to put another man on the moon,” showcases her resilience and ability to find joy and humour even after past heartbreaks.
However, the album doesn't shy away from the pain and introspection that fans found layered within Moroney's debut album ‘Lucky.' ‘No Caller I.D.' is a haunting, acoustic ballad in which she addresses the emotional turmoil of an ex reaching out late at night. The plaintive pedal steel and sharp, Tayor Swift-esque lyrics convey the struggle of moving on while being pulled back by lingering feelings. Similarly, '28th June' is a poignant piano ballad that captures the sorrow of a relationship's end on what would have been a significant anniversary, highlighting Moroney's ability to channel deep emotions into her music. Elsewhere, tracks like ‘Mama, I Lied,' in which Moroney confesses to her mother that she hid the toxicity of a relationship from her in order to avoid confrontation and embarrassment and standout track, ‘I Know You,' which is a darker yet insanely commercial song calling out the negative behaviours of the men she has known, still possess the cadence, the biting cynicism and the sense of loss and confusion that fans fell in love with on debut album, ‘Lucky.'
It has to be said, if ‘Lucky' owed a debt of gratitude to Kacey Musgraves' ‘Same Trailer Different Park' album then ‘Am I Okay?' feels more like a tribute to the aforementoned Taylor Swift in places. This is nowhere more in evidence than on tracks like ‘Noah' which shares an origin going all the way back to ‘Mean' in terms of sound and style. A secret teenage crush is a secret no longer here as Moroney playfully declares to the guy in the title, ‘All the girls, they want you but never quite like me…..bet you didn’t think you’d end up in a song!’
Empowerment is another strong theme throughout ‘Am I Okay?' Tracks like ‘Indifferent' and ‘Miss Universe' showcase Moroney's strength and self-assuredness. In the former she adopts a darker, funkier sound with sharp lyrics and a pop-punk chorus reminiscent of an artist like Avril Lavigne. This marks a departure from her usual style but works brilliantly. ‘Miss Universe,' meanwhile, combines humour and big, chugging guitars to create an anthem about self-worth and resilience, resonating with listeners who have faced similar situations.
Closing the album, songs like ‘Hope You’re Happy' and ‘Hell of a Show' reflect Moroney's maturity and growth as an artist and as a person. ‘Hope You’re Happy' is a heartfelt song about wishing an ex well while acknowledging the pain of moving on, blending country with West Coast vibes. ‘Hell of a Show,' a short, acoustic vignette, cleverly captures the duality of professional success and personal heartbreak, ending the album on a reflective and powerfully creative note, giving listeners a little glimpse behind the curtain and encouraging us to think about what our favourite artists might well be going through in their personal lives.
‘Am I Okay?' is a testament to Megan Moroney's growth as a songwriter and artist. By exploring themes of heartbreak, resilience, and empowerment, she creates a rich tapestry of emotions that resonate deeply with her audience. Her willingness to experiment with new sounds and delve into personal experiences makes this album a standout, marking a significant step forward in her musical journey. There are still elements of the ‘sad, emo cowgirl' we all fell in love with on ‘Lucky,' but ‘Am I Okay?' finds Megan Moroney rounding out that heartbreak, anger and cynicism with a little nuance, acceptance and resilience. If ‘Lucky' was an album which found Megan Moroney having to suck down on a whole load of lemons, ‘Am I Okay?' finds her making gallons of sweet tasting lemonade. The heartbreak is still there but it's being channelled in different and empowering ways now on an album with real moments of light and shade and a variation of moods. Can't wait to see what comes next!
Tracklist: 1. Am I Okay? 2. Third Time's the Charm 3. No Caller I.D. 4. Man on the Moon 5. 28th of June 6. Indifferent 7. Noah 8. Miss Universe 9. Mama, I Lied 10. I Know You 11. The Girls 12. Heaven by Noon 13. Hope You're Happy 14. Hell of a Show Release Date: July 12th Record Label: Sony Nashville Buy ‘Am I Okay?' now
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