This year wasn’t Maren Morris‘ first rodeo in the music business, but in terms of success 2016 has been a whirlwind for the newcomer.
With a CMA award, a No. 1 album, two hit singles and four Grammy nominations, after spending years as a songwriter Morris has steped into the limelight in a big way. And that’s exactly why she is being named Billboard’s Women in Music Breakthrough Artist this year.
If you’re familiar with Morris’ name, you’ve probably also been introduced to her anthemic hit “My Church.” And if that piqued your interest, you may have also caught a listen of “’80s Mercedes” or “Rich.” Although Morris only has 10 songs to her name thus far, there’s much more to her than the three that have hit radio airwaves.
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Take a listen to some of Morris’ best cuts from her debut album, Hero, to help you get better acquainted with the WIM Breakthrough pick. Because 2016 is only the beginning.
“Sugar”
Kicking off her Grammy-nominated album with a song that shows off her vocal ability with an undulating chorus, Morris serves up a request for a desired lover in sassy, yet skillful fashion.
“I Could Use A Love Song”
Morris has established herself as a country diva reminiscent of Shania Twain with some Miranda Lambert spitfire, but this track shows the vulnerability every true country artist strives to cultivate — both lyrically and melodically.
“Second Wind”
Perhaps her declaration to any haters that doubted Morris along her path to stardom, she presents an inspiring message to the discouraged by telling her own story of getting back up after being knocked down. The sway-along “nah-nah-nah-nah-nah-nah-ahh” hook provides for the cherry on top to the overall feel-good song (which Kelly Clarkson actually first picked up for her 2015 album Piece By Piece).
“Drunk Girls Don’t Cry”
Offering a beachier vibe to the country collection, “Drunk Girls Don’t Cry” isn’t just fun because of its bouncy beat. The lyrics are as witty as they are valuable, right from the get-go: “What you do with trash? You take it out/ So why are you letting him hang around?”
“Just Another Thing”
Although Morris certainly established a forget-him shtick with “Drunk Girls Don’t Cry,” even she couldn’t help falling under the trap of a guy she knows isn’t good for her — and turned it in to an awfully catchy tune.
BONUS TRACK: “I’ll Be The Moon,” featured on Dierks Bentley‘s Black
Before getting a chance to really show the world what she’s made of with the June 10 release of her debut album, Morris guested on Bentley’s record that dropped in May and offered quite the precursor of what was to come.
Women In Music airs Dec. 12 on Lifetime.
