The center of the country music universe has been Morgan Wallen for the better part of the 2020s, and with nearly 40 tracks on the horizon, fans have been more vocal than ever about what they want to see from the Tennessee native. Wallen recently appeared on Theo Von’s podcast and discussed his goals and visions for his fourth studio album, I’m The Problem.
“My last album had plenty of trap beats and stuff like that. This time, I was like, hey, man, let’s tone that back a little. I’m tired of it, and if I’m tired of it, they’re probably tired of it,” Wallen told Theo.
Despite their historical success and countless records, Dangerous and One Thing At A Time were both full of divisive tracks, with fans questioning Wallen’s loyalty to the genre. Some liked the trap beats and alternative influences, while others passionately despised them. That is, however, the beauty of projects at this length; there truly is something for everyone.
Even though the length of I’m The Problem has already been shared, it would be more logical to divide the album into three separate projects. That said, there remains a wishlist of items that would be greatly appreciated upon the project’s official release.
An Evening with Morgan and a Piano
The record opener, “Sand In My Boots,” was a classic tale of heartbreak that many Wallen fans have become familiar with over the years. While the songwriting on this track is still one of the more thought-provoking parts of the album, it’s not the show’s star. Morgan returns to his Southern gospel roots and sits down in his diaphragm, allowing his raspy voice’s vibrato to shine through. The stripped-down production of soft percussion and powerful piano will enable him to step into this role of storyteller and hopefully shed the bro-country facade that riddled most of One Thing At A Time. With all the party anthem tracks arriving just in time for summer, sprinkling these soulful ballads will help them stand out more and make the album feel more creative.
Sharing the Stage with a Purpose
The last three years have brought forth countless collaborations on songs that don’t need one. During his Saturday Night Live appearances, it was teased that a few songs featured guests. We can assume the usual suspects of HARDY and ERNEST will be featured on songs and included in writing credits, but nothing has been confirmed outside of that.
He’s sung plenty of breakup songs, but a back-and-forth between two narrators depicting two sides of a heartbreak is missing from his arsenal. He’s touring with Miranda Lambert, who co-wrote his hit “Thought You Should Know,” so the pairing wouldn’t be entirely out of the question. Now, in his fatherhood era, we’re sure to see songs about this new revelation in life, so it would be interesting to see some rhetorical conversation between him and an older singer in the genre trying to bestow some wisdom in his life. The features don’t have to have a super complex conversation, but some element that adds to a story would make these tracks much more enjoyable.
Organization is Everything
With a project as long as this, the track list must be set up to allow as many songs as possible to succeed. The record opener, title track, and previously released singles will do well, but for other songs to have their own life, they must be positioned in a way that stands out.
One thing that Dangerous did to break things up was to separate the album into two discs. This appearance on Spotify and Apple Music immediately helps users divide the 30 songs into smaller chunks. It could provide a more cohesive experience for the listener as they embark on the hour-and-a-half adventure. One Thing At A Time is presented in one 36-song album, which can feel daunting for a listener. I’m The Problem would benefit from some variety in the tracks because Wallen could organize the songs into thematic chunks, allowing listeners to navigate their perfect listening experience.
Story Time
Since the beginning, Wallen has surrounded himself with some of Nashville’s best and most creative writers. No one expects Wallen to enlist the help of prolific writers like Evan Felker or Lori McKenna, but his inner circle is full of incredibly talented writers. One of Wallen’s closest mates, Hardy, had a debut album full of clever plots and thoughtful messages behind his songs like “A Rock” and “Give Heaven Some Hell.” A rare beauty of a project this long is that it was the time to take a risk and tell a story that isn’t his. There’s space in this tracklist to take a song and develop characters, scenery, and a plot within a four-minute song.
Wallen has mentioned in the past that he’s not ashamed of the clichés in his music—but at this point in his career, there are only so many times and so many ways he can say he’s from the country. Now is the perfect moment for him to step outside his own story and take a creative risk by telling someone else’s. With his distinct voice and strong presence, he can embody other perspectives and bring stories he hasn’t personally lived to life. Exploring different experiences and backgrounds could broaden his storytelling and sharpen his songwriting skills, helping him develop a deeper understanding of diverse writing styles and musical influences.
