Maren Morris is fearless, vulnerable on new album 'GIRL'
Maren Morris' new album, "GIRL," will be available Friday. The singer will play Ryman Auditorium on Wednesday.
Maren Morris is fearless, vulnerable on new album 'GIRL' Maren Morris' new album, "GIRL," will be available Friday. The singer will play Ryman Auditorium on Wednesday. Check out this story on Tennessean.com: https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2019/03/07/maren-morris-duets-brandi-carlile-brothers-osborne-new-album-girl/3097489002/
Cindy Watts, Nashville Tennessean Published 5:24 p.m. CT March 7, 2019 | Updated 5:30 p.m. CT March 7, 2019
Maren Morris througout the years
Maren Morris poses on the carpet at the Nashville Grammy Nominee Party at Lowes Vanderbilt Plaza on Thursday Jan. 26, 2017, in Nashville, TN Larry McCormack / The Tennessean
Maren Morris is nominated for four awards at the 2017 Grammys, including best new artist. Alan Poizner / For The Tennessean
Maren Morris opens for Keith Urban on Nov. 11, 2016, at Bridgestone Arena. She is now in the midst of her first headlining tour. Alan Poizner / For The Tennessean
Maren Morris performs at Bridgestone Arena Friday, November 11, 2016. Alan Poizner/The Tennessean
New Artist of the Year Maren Morris performs at the CMA Awards on Nov. 2, 2016, in Nashville. Larry McCormack / tennessean.com
Maren Morris holds her New Artist of the Year backstage at the 2016 CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com
Singer Maren Morris attends the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Maren Morris performs at the 2016 CMA Awards Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. Larry McCormack / tennessean.com
Maren Morris gets emotional as she accepts her New Artist of the Year award at the 2016 CMA Awards Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. Larry McCormack / tennessean.com
Maren Morris ABC
Maren Morris on the red carpet before the BMI Music Awards at BMI on Music Row Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. Larry McCormack / The Tennessean
In this June 1, 2016, photo, Maren Morris poses in Nashville, Tenn. AP Photo/Mark Humphrey
Maren Morris recently released her debut album, "Hero." Robby Klein
Maren Morris performs Delta Dawn at the 10th Annual ACM Honors taking place Tuesday, August 30, 2016 at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN. Shelley Mays / The Tennessean
Tanya Tucker accepts the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award from Maren Morris at the 10th Annual ACM Honors taking place Tuesday, August 30, 2016 at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN. Shelley Mays / The Tennessean
Maren Morris performs with Rascal Flatts during CMA Music Festival on Thursday night at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com
Maren Morris performs with Rascal Flatts during the CMA Music Festival at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. Larry McCormack / File / Tennessean.com
Rascal Flatts and Maren Morris perform during CMA Music Festival on Thursday night at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com
SINGLE OF THE YEAR: "My Church," Maren Morris Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean
Singer-songwriter Maren Morris. Andrew Nelles / File / The Tennessean
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: Maren Morris Al Wagner, Al Wagner / Invision / AP
SONG OF THE YEAR: (Award goes to songwriter(s)) "My Church" Busbee and Maren Morris Rich Fury / Invision / AP
ALBUM OF THE YEAR: "Hero," Maren Morris Wade Payne / Invision / AP
Maren Morris performs at the 2016 CMT Music Awards Wednesday June 8, 2016 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. Larry McCormack / The Tennessean
Maren Morris, Keith Urban and Brett Eldredge at the 2016 CMT Music Awards Wednesday June 8, 2016 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. Larry McCormack / The Tennessean
Maren Morris performs on NBC's "Today" show on Tuesday. Nathan Congleton / Today
Maren Morris made her Grand Ole Opry debut in May. submitted
Maren Morris waves as she enters the stage during the All for the Hall fundraiser for the Country Music Hall of Fame at the Bridgestone Arena Tuesday, April 12, 2016 in Nashville, Tenn. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean
Maren Morris poses on the red carpet at the 51st Academy of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sunday in Las Vegas. Larry McCormack / The Tennessean
Maren Morris performs at the Ryman Auditorium, Thursday, Feb. 18, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Maren Morris Rich Fury / Invision / AP
Fearless is how Maren Morris feels ahead of the release of her second studio album on Friday, March 8. The follow-up to her critically acclaimed debut "Hero," "GIRL" is home to Morris' current single, a female empowerment anthem of the same name.
"I just want to keep taking risks and growing closer to my fans and making new fans," Morris said. "I think the only way you can do that is by scaring the (crap) out of yourself, and that's what this song does to me. I think that's always led me the right direction when I have that feeling."
Maren Morris attends the 61st annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 10, 2019, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. (Photo: Dan MacMedan/USA TODAY NETWORK)
Produced by Morris, busbee and Greg Kurstin, the boundary-bending album is 14 songs deep and includes duets with recent Grammy winner Brandi Carlile and the Country Music Association's duo of the year, Brothers Osborne. Morris co-wrote every song on the project.
"This is going to fail miserably or it's going to open up a completely new side of myself and the world that I haven't been introduced to yet," Morris said.
The singer explains that "GIRL" picks up where her first album left off. Morris said "Hero" reflected many different genres because that's what she grew up listening to or was inspired by at the time. The album's lyrics detailed the end of a relationship because she was living that truth while writing for the record. With "GIRL," she said, "the story has continued."
"I'm a few years older," Morris explained. "I'm approaching 30, and I'm married. I've just taken so many risks in my career that I almost feel like I have nothing left to fear. This album … I'm so proud of it. I want every song to matter. I want to tell a story."
Maren Morris' second album, "GIRL," will be released March 8. (Photo: Jamie Nelson)
Morris designed the first half of "GIRL" to be self-reflective and wrap up loose ends that linger from "Hero." The back half of the album is about allowing herself to be loved and what it's like to be someone's partner. Morris wed fellow singer Ryan Hurd in 2018.
"It's a more grown-up album," she said. "I think the writing is more mature and the production is more lush."
From the songs, the singer promises levity, sass and the vulnerability of being in love.
"It's a really raw album for me because I never approached those subjects in the first one so fans and listeners are hearing a softer side of me," she said. "It's way more musical of an album."
Maren Morris and her husband Ryan Hurd stop on the CMA Awards red carpet to talk to the Tennessean's Cindy Watts and Dave Paulson. Nashville Tennessean
In addition to releasing "GIRL" on Friday, Morris is also in the midst of her tour of the same name. Tour dates reach through August and include stops in the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Ireland and Australia. She will headline Nashville's Ryman Auditorium on Wednesday.
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