If you haven’t frequented country music spaces recently, you might not know the name Megan Moroney, but the Georgia native and singer-songwriter has been on the rise since 2022 with the release of her hit “Tennessee Orange.”
“Cloud 9”, Moroney’s third album, stays true to the singer’s country roots while also playing into the popularity of pop-country. With 15 tracks and two collaborations, the album did not disappoint.
The title track “Cloud 9” is a perfect opener and a rare love song. It sets up the sound of the album, and the dreamy guitar sounds match the lyrics perfectly.
“Medicine” is a catchy play on the phrase: “get a taste of your own medicine.” The song feels like a quintessential country song with the production reminiscent of old Miranda Lambert.
“6 Months Later” was the first single dropped for her new era, and it would absolutely hit on pop radio. It’s the perfect car song because of how fun it is to sing. The concept of the song is very relatable: having someone trying to crawl back into your life when they see you doing well, even when they’re the one who left.
The album, for me, divides into songs I either liked or loved, such as “Stupid” and “Beautiful Things.”
While “Stupid” is fun as a song about being in denial over being ghosted, it doesn’t resonate with me as much as others. “Beautiful Things” stands out for its touching lyrics. Moroney wrote it for her baby niece, reflecting on the hardships girls face as they grow up. As an older fan, I can appreciate its message while recognizing it wasn’t written for me.
“Convincing” is for the girls who meet someone once and fall in love with them immediately, and I appreciate finally getting the recognition we deserve. It’s slowed down a lot from where the album started; it relies on a guitar to do the heavy lifting with the production and allows for Moroney’s vocals to shine.
As you reach the back half of the album, the tone starts to shift from fun “screw you” songs to sadder ballad types.
Track 7, “Liars & Tigers & Bears,” is perfection. When I heard the opening piano, I knew this was about to be special. The song is about Moroney’s experience in the music industry so far, but also just experiences that many women can relate to. One of my favorite lyrics is from the chorus when she sings, “So, work ’til it kills you / but don’t actually die”. This song is a masterclass of Moroney’s writing abilities.
When the track list for the album was released, my eyes went immediately to “I Only Miss You” as it featured Ed Sheeran, and I’m a proud Sheerio. The song is raw, and their voices sound stunning together. It’s kind of an odd pairing because of the genre difference, but it works so well. The song is reminiscent of a classic country ballad and is easily a top pick for me off the album.
“Wedding Dress” is another emotional killer. It was written years ago and never found itself a home on Moroney’s projects until now. It’s about the fear that you’ll never get over someone, and when you’re walking down the aisle, they’re still on your mind. There are already multiple “The Summer I Turned Pretty” edits to this song, so it’s safe to say it’s a fan favorite.
“Change of Heart” is another slight miss for me. It’s the kind of song that’s meant for being performed live because of its rock-esque production and scream-singing in the outro . As it compares to the rest of the album, it falls flat.
Moroney, like so many, is a huge Kacey Musgraves fan, so getting her to sing on “Bells and Whistles” is a career highlight. Similar to her collab with Sheeran, she sounds amazing with Musgraves. It’s a fun song poking fun at exes who thought you were too much, but instead of being ashamed, embracing it.
“Table for Two” and “Wish I Didn’t” blend in among the album’s larger tracks. “Table for Two” is acoustic-driven as Moroney ponders missing someone and whether to reach out, while “Wish I Didn’t” shifts to upbeat, pop-leaning production as Moroney playfully warns her new partner that missteps could end up in a song.
“Who Hurt You?” is Moroney’s version of Taylor Swift’s “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived”. She said everything she needed to say, and in doing so, she read the man (Riley Green) to absolute filth. She calls him gross on the bridge, and I’m utterly obsessed with it.
Closing the album is another beautiful ballad in “Waiting On the Rain”. Instead of Morney’s classic breakup songs, where she wants the man back, this shows growth in knowing that while the relationship is over, she knows now that things will get better and life will move on. It’s a song that really lends itself to Moroney’s vocals, where you can feel the emotions.
As a newer fan of Moroney’s, I didn’t go into this album with any expectations but came out with even more love for her and her artistry. The album spotlights her writing skills and voice that have continued to grow over her time as an artist.
Rating: 4/5