For too long Kacey Musgraves has had it all her own way as the youthful voice of modern American country but now Maren Morris has stepped onto the scene with her first album on a major label. 'Hero' is a bit less country than Musgraves and certainly packed with much more attitude and swearing but it's no less fun to listen to with eleven catchy, enjoyable country-pop numbers.
The LP kicks off with the sweet-sounding 'Sugar' that stretches the metaphor over a sexy sounding track that even has chance to reference Christmas in its surprisingly rocky number. 'Rich' has a Joan Jett vibe to the more country-tinged record and is my favourite track on the record thanks to its fun swagger. 'My Church' is a slower number and feels more like it ticks the country tropes and sounds a little Musgraves in its subject matter and has quite an anthemic rhythm and a very hooky chorus.
'I Could Use A Love Song' is a smooth subdued ballad whilst '80s Mercedes' is a bit poppier in its delivery but with a stadium-friendly chorus and further modern references.
'Drunk Girls Don't Cry' boasts a quirky vocal hook which opens the track, building up to quite a catchy little number and is another of my favourite, with plenty of ballsy lyrics. 'How's It Done' once more lowers the pace and gives Morris' voice more time to shine, but it's a track that doesn't quite as grab you as the others.
'Just Another Thing' switches to a more casual style, with hints of the Drifters in its verse, before the chorus bursts into life. 'I Wish I Was' continues the vibe, offering a gentle, more stripped-back country number. 'Second Wind' kicks the pace up more and returns to the pop-attitude and hooks of the earlier part of the album to great effect. Things tie up with the powerful 'Once' which is a high point to end on.
'Hero' might be labelled as country but it's perhaps more pop than, say, Kacey Musgraves, but as a ballsy, well written and sung collection of songs it really works. Morris' vocals are great as are her confident, attitude-filled lyrics, and I look forward to hearing more from her. (7.5/10)
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