Kip Moore released his highly anticipated fourth album ‘Wild World’ on Friday. It is an emotionally raw and honest collection, more than we’ve ever heard on his other albums. “I’m more honest in my music than I think I am in my own life sometimes,” Moore told People recently.
That honesty came to its climax at the conclusion of this record with ‘Payin’ Hard.’ Moore opens up about all his regrets, from a lack of time spent with his dying father, to a lost love he calls Janie (her second appearance on this album). This song contains the best lyrical metaphor I’ve heard in a while, comparing life to a credit card and not realizing how past mistakes can have a serious impact on your future.
This album doesn’t really hit its stride of radio and concert-friendly songs until ‘Red White Blue Jean American Dream,’ but once it does, it doesn’t stop. What’s most impressive though is Moore didn’t hold back on the performance just to cater to radio. Yet most of the songs can and should appeal to a wide variety of country music fans. Even rock fans will appreciate this album, as you can clearly hear influences from The Black Crowes, Daughtry and Don Henley on several songs.
We can’t talk about this album without discussing the impact that love, or the desire for love, had on it. Moore is confident in several places, knowing that a specific woman, or a more general idea of his soulmate, will come to him when the time is right. At times though, particularly on current single ‘She’s Mine,’ you can’t help but feel a little bad for him. He knows it’s bound to happen, but the audience wants him to find her so bad because he deserves love.
It’s clear that Moore did a lot of soul searching to arrive at this material. He’s not done on his journey though, and I will happily come along on the ride. If you would like to listen to ‘Wild World’ click here.
