Maren Morris, the chart-topping country music sensation, has made a surprising announcement: she’s bidding farewell to the genre that catapulted her to stardom.
This revelation comes on the heels of her latest singles, “The Tree” and “Get the Hell Out of Here,” both part of her broader concept known as “The Bridge.”
In an exclusive interview with The Los Angeles Times on September 15, 2023, Morris candidly revealed her reasons for leaving country music behind.
Is Maren Morris leaving Country Music?
Maren Morris, the acclaimed country music performer, has announced her departure from the genre that rocketed her to success.
This news follows the release of her two new singles, “The Tree” and “Get the Hell Out of Here,” both of which are vital pieces of a larger idea known as “The Bridge.”
Morris openly stated her decision on September 15, 2023. Morris revealed her choice to The Los Angeles Times in an exclusive interview.
The Deep Desire for Change
“I considered burning it down and starting over. But it’s burning down without my assistance. The more you get into the country music business, the more you notice its flaws. You can’t unsee it after you’ve seen it. I’m trying to mature here, to realise that I can just walk away from the parts of this that don’t make me happy,”
Morris admitted openly during the interview.
The country music industry, like many others, is complicated and difficult.
Morris, as one of the few female artists to reach notable success and one of the few female musicians to attain substantial success on country radio, was subjected to unrelenting criticism as a result of her achievements.
“Being one of the few women who had any success on country radio, everything you do is scrutinised,” she said.
Even when you’re doing well, you’re scrutinised more than your male counterparts.” These powerful statements shed light on the challenges she endured throughout her career.
In Review: A Remarkable Career
Maren Morris’ career in country music has been nothing short of remarkable.
Her major-label debut studio album, “Hero,” which was released in June 2016, marked her chart debut, debuting at number 5 on the Billboard 200 album chart and garnering platinum certification in the United States.
The scene was set for a career that offered artistry as well as influence.
Success Continues with “Girl”
Morris’s second studio album, “Girl,” was released on March 8, 2019, following the phenomenal success of her debut.
The album not only peaked at number four on the Billboard 200 album chart, but it also went platinum in Canada, solidifying her place as a global country sensation.
A Lowly Mission
Morris’ third studio album, “Humble Quest,” was released on March 25, 2022, and marked the beginning of a new chapter in her brilliant career.
While the single did not chart as high as her previous albums, peaking at number 21 on the Billboard 200, it demonstrated her artistic development and devotion to pushing limits.
Jason Aldean’s Dissonance
Maren Morris is no stranger to controversy, and one incident in particular stands out. A fellow country artist, Jason Aldean, recently sparked controversy with the video for his Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper, “Try That In A Small Town.”
The video featured Aldean and his bandmates dressed as cowboys, intercut with footage of numerous protests, including the 2010 G10 Toronto and Black Lives Matter demonstrations.
The criticism arose from the way the video portrayed these protests, focusing on instances of violence and disorder.
Critics said that this representation incited violence, notably towards BIPOC people engaged in anti-discrimination and racially motivated violent marches. The outcry was swift, and the video was removed from Country Music Television (CMT).
Maren Morris was among the ones who replied to the video’s inflammatory topic. She took to Instagram, teasing a video that would address the contentious music. This wasn’t the first time Morris had clashed with Jason Aldean.
A Disagreement History
Brittany Aldean, Aldean’s wife, made news in August of the previous year when she posted an Instagram statement thanking her parents for not choosing to change her gender.
Several artists, including Cassandra Pope and Joy Oladokun, criticised the statement. Maren Morris spoke out in favour of Pope and Oladokun, emphasising the intricacies of the problems at stake.
Beyond Country: A Journey
Maren Morris’ choice to abandon country music signals a watershed moment in her career.
The industry is excited to witness the progress of a remarkable artist who refuses to be constrained by genre borders as she embarks on a new musical journey.
Maren Morris’ narrative is one of artistic development, persistence, and the quest for pleasure in an industry that frequently demands uniformity.
With each note, she rewrites the story, demonstrating that music is a limitless power that resists description.
