As country music evolves, it also seems to simultaneously repeat history. Early in her career, Megan Moroney has been a prime example of this phenomenon. Right now, she is leading the way for so many other young female artists like Hailey Whitters and Mackenzie Carpenter by borrowing similar sounds of classic country music and seamlessly integrating them into the format’s bold new era.
Moroney’s debut album, “Lucky” is a perfect testament to how she learns from the past to elevate her music. The 16-track album displays classic country sensibilities in every single song. Some give more of a ’90s feel (see the title track), others reflect the early 2000s (Traitor Joe), and yet they all fit in perfectly with today’s era of country music. There’s a definite Nashville-ness to the writing with its occasional puns and turns of phrase, but not in a bad way. She steers completely clear of noisy, pop-country production and puts together a distinguished sound that sticks her out from the many others who have fallen into radio’s vacuous abyss of blandness. Lucky features an assortment of eclectic moods from sad heartbreak music, all the way to the feel-good jams that put her confidence on full display.
Coining herself as the “emo cowgirl,” Moroney lives up to her name with a large number of sad songs in her album. Of these, ‘Why Johnny’ is a definite standout. The song takes shape as a letter to June Carter wondering what made her want to stay with Johnny Cash despite his well-known inclinations towards drugs, alcohol, and unfaithfulness. In an epic lyrical twist, we learn that Moroney is asking these questions lost in doubt about her own relationship. Not only is this a nice adaption of country music’s most fascinating power couple, but it’s incredibly relatable. Many people have found themselves in relationships where they don’t know if they should stay, and they end up asking the advice of others who have been in similar situations.
The deluxe version of Lucky features three additional songs including ‘‘Fix You Too’ featuring Kameron Marlowe, ‘Nothin’ Crazy’ featuring Mackenzie Carpenter, and ‘Reasons to Stay.’ These three tracks carry the same themes as the original 13 songs and fit in perfectly. ‘Fix You Too’ and ‘Reasons to Stay’ are similarly confused laments about a failing relationship, but in different ways. Fan-favorite ‘Fix You Too’ sees our narrator gracefully bowing out of a love affair between two broken people. This is one of the best tracks on the album, and Kameron’s presence here adds some romantic intrigue that wasn’t there before. ‘Reasons to Stay’ is a very similar idea, but rather than each lover being too troubled to make the relationship work, they’ve both become woefully complacent with one another. Meg is never short on creativity, and on Lucky, you can never guess a song by its title.
All that said, the album isn’t just a sob story; it also includes some tempo tracks that show a different, more confident side of Moroney. In a stupendously fun one-two punch to kick off the album, ‘I’m Not Pretty’ and the title track deliver this sassy bravado in spades. She flirts with the thin line between self-assuredness and arrogance, and the result is some of the most entertaining music you’ll hear all year. Since Carrie Underwood’s commercial peak, country music has been craving some gleeful girl-power, and the Georgia native serves it up on a silver platter.
Megan Moroney definitely wears a lot of hats on Lucky, and yet all of the songs here just seem to belong together. The album covers getting cheated on, prioritizing boyfriends over herself, and even a cutesy love song or two. What Moroney has picked up from country legends of the past like Carrie Underwood and Reba is very clear: she’s bringing their confidence and poise to a new generation of country music fans. For a little while now, we’ve been in dire need of a female artist who’s bold enough to mix steel guitar and stellar songwriting, and Megan Moroney has pretty much made it her trademark. From top to bottom, Lucky is a statement album, certifying Meg as a charismatic star who’s here to stay.
9.0/10
Check out more of our reviews here!
