New Album Review: Morgan Wade- Psychopath

Morgan Wade- Pyschopath

Label: RCA

Producer: Sadler Vaden

With her 2021 debut, Reckless, Morgan Wade emerged as one of the most promising new voices of the pandemic era, with a ragged rock-tinged sound that likewise pulled from alt-country and alt-pop, and a killer songwriting POV that had zero tolerance for bullshit and superficiality. Her anticipated sophomore release finds her once again teaming up with producer and 400 Unit guitarist, Sadler Vaden. Together, they double down on the rugged but confessional rock overtones of its predecessor. It’s fitting then that the album is anchored by a tribute track titled “Alanis”, with Wade’s primary influences clearly leaning toward 90s legends like rockers Morissette and Sheryl Crow, rather than country-pop divas like Shania or Faith, neo-traditionalists like Patty or Lee Ann, or even alt mavericks like Iris or Lucinda. While she does momentarily deviate toward frivolous power-pop on the single “80s Movie”, bouncy folk-pop on “Fall In Love With Me”, or gorgeous soul on “Want”, this is by and large a record of tortured and longing rock, as evidenced by moments like “Phantom Feelings” or “Guns and Roses”. At times, the production doesn’t feel as clean as her first album, nor do the songs feel as immediately palpable or tight as previous benchmarks like “Wilder Days” or “Last Cigarette”, though the stellar lead single and title track definitely ranks in that category. With that said, with a bewildering co-writing roster that includes names like Lori McKenna, Liz Rose, Ashley Monroe, Natalie Hemby, and Angaleena Presley, there’s no denying that these songs have legs and are growers over multiple listens. One track that will quietly but instantly stop you in your tracks though is the tremendous closer “27 Club”, which bemoans “I don’t know if I would call it luck/But I didn’t make the twenty-seven club/I’m twenty eight, so y’all ain’t gotta dig my grave.” It’s moments like this that both remind us of Wade’s initial promise, and pushes it forward in impressive fashion as well.

Track Listing:

1. “Domino” (Morgan Wade, Sadler Vaden, Ashley Monroe, Butch Walker)
2. “80’s Movie” (Wade, Vaden)
3. “Losers Look Like Me” (Wade)
4. “Roman Candel” (Wade)
5. “Guns and Roses” (Wade, Vaden, Natalie Hemby)
6. “Alanis” (Wade, Vaden, Hemby)
7. “Phantom Feelings” (Wade, Julia Michaels, Ben Rice)
8. “Psychopath” (Wade)
9. “Outrun Me” (Wade, Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna, Liz Rose, Vaden)
10. “Want” (Wade, Monroe, Angaleena Presley)
11. “Fall In Love with Me” (Wade)
12. “Meet Somebody” (Wade, Vaden)
13. “27 Club” (Wade)