In the months leading up to the release of “Cloud 9,” anticipation for Megan Moroney’s third studio album steadily climbed. Leading up to the album announcement, fans, including myself, speculated about which carefully curated color would define this next chapter for Megan Moroney. We have had green with her debut album “Lucky,” then blue with “Am I Okay?,” so what would come next? Additionally, with the “Cloud 9” tour already announced, the question remains if Moroney has created an album that lives up to the hype.
The album finally dropped Feb. 20 with an undeniably pink theme, country music branding and 15 songs that cover everything from struggles with the music industry, love, self-confidence and, of course, a couple of the emo-cowgirl break-up songs that Moroney is known for. With her signature white cowgirl boots, rhinestone flair and this campy pink theme, it makes perfect sense that Moroney would stop in Nashville Feb. 22 to perform one of nine shows in nine days for $9 as part of the “Cloud 9” campaign.
Whether you spent your Saturday in line for tickets or were drawn into the excitement of the release, “Cloud 9” offers a multitude of tracks to explore. Here are five standout songs that float a little higher than the rest and represent the album as a whole.
“6 Months Later”
This is the song that started the color debate, as Moroney traded her dark blues for pink, purple, orange and other light tones in the cover art and visuals. Released as a single before the album, it still stands out to me because it reminds me of why I became a fan. Moroney is at her strongest when she leans into sarcastic, rise-above-it breakup songs that make you laugh while also making you feel powerful and confident. She has a way of turning playful, attention-grabbing lines like, “What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger and blonder and hotter,” into clever pop-coded anthems that swirl around social media for months.
Liars & Tigers & Bears
Moroney reveals a different, vulnerable side of herself in this song, exploring her experiences as a woman navigating the music industry. The song title itself reads as a play on Judy Garland’s iconic line in “The Wizard of Oz,” “Lions and tigers and bears! Oh my!” This speaks volumes, given how the entertainment industry treated and abused Garland her whole life. The song is especially heartbreaking, with lyrics like, “Just a wide-eyed girl learning the ropes,” mixed with expressions of the double standards that Moroney was forced to navigate as a new artist.
“Who Hurt You?”
Since the album was marketed as country, this song stood out for leaning into Moroney’s roots, with a darker, more emotional sound than her recent pop-leaning tracks. It opens with a twist of sadness and country references, such as “The devil went down to Georgia, then he crossed that ‘Bama line.” This line in particular sparked speculation about her rumored romance with singer Riley Green, given that he is from Alabama and Moroney is from Georgia, evoking the classic country love-to-betrayal trope. The lyrics capture someone being done dirty, with lines like, “So cruel but always kidding,” and build into an angrier breakup anthem, including the chorus line, “How did you get so cold?” which expresses both hurt and disbelief. I greatly enjoyed the track because it is raw, emotional and less synthetic than some of her newer songs. As a longtime fan, it is exciting to hear her go back to the sound that first drew me to her music.
“I Only Miss You” (feat. Ed Sheeran)
While this is a rather simplistic duet, the collaboration was so unexpected that it has made its way into my standout songs from this album. When I saw that Ed Sheeran was on this duet, I was incredibly skeptical, particularly about how their voices would sound together. Much to my surprise, Moroney’s raspy, deeper voice blended beautifully with the softer tones that Sheeran brought to the track. Additionally, this song stood out to me as it was removed from a lot of the Gen-Z pop culture references that Moroney clings to. It was a very stripped-down, country-leaning song about missing someone.
“Stupid”
This song stands out because it represents the album and Moroney as an artist while capturing her current sound. While I enjoy when Moroney leans into country, this track reflects who she is now, and I love it for that. Co-written by Amy Allen, who has written for pop artists like Sabrina Carpenter, “Stupid” leans into a playful, sarcastic style with rambling lines about a man, such as, “A lot a bit pretty and a little bit dumb,” and a tongue-in-cheek take on men’s behavior. Unlike traditional breakup songs, it is conversational, funny and pokes fun rather than excusing anyone’s actions. With its pop-country energy and humorous attitude, this track is a strong indicator of where Moroney will be heading next.
