Megan Moroney: ‘Cloud 9’ Album Review
Megan Moroney’s brand new album, Cloud 9 is officially out now, February 20th on all streaming platforms. Learn more and listen to the new album below.
One of country music’s fastest-rising names, Megan Moroney proves she’s the real deal on Cloud 9, out now. On the follow-up to 2024’s Am I Okay?, the Georgia native further establishes herself as a powerful songwriter, compelling storyteller, and undeniable superstar in the making.
“With two albums under my belt, I feel like my feet are fully planted in my artistry. It’ s not my first or even second rodeo, she shares. “And because of that I felt free to be completely myself and take some risks on this record.”
Each of the album’s fifteen tracks was written or co-written by Moroney alongside collaborators including Luke Laird, Jessie Jo Dillon, Connie Harrington, and Ben Williams. She also co-produced the project with Laird and longtime collaborator Kristian Bush. The result is her pièce de résistance: a vibrant, polished collection of pop-country gems that finds her poised to leap from rising star to household name.
The title track opens the album in euphoric fashion, a shimmering love song that captures the dizzy rush of new romance and immediately sets the tone. “When I wrote ‘Cloud 9,’ I was in such a happy mood all the time,” Moroney says. “I love knowing that when I listen to that song somewhere down the road, I’ll remember exactly how I felt during that time.”
While the opener floats high on new love, much of the record explores the devastating crash of heartbreak. “Stupid” finds her rationalizing the chaos of being ghosted, while “6 Months Later” showcases her wit with the sharp line, “What doesn’t kill you calls you six months later.” Meanwhile, the Miranda Lambert-esque “Medicine” delivers a gritty honky-tonk attitude as she flips the script on a bad boy, tongue firmly in cheek as she gives him a taste of his own treatment.
“Is it bitter going down, down, down?// You don’t like it too much, do you? // Coming back around, round, ’round // Ain’t as fun when it’s happening to you // Oh, poor, poor you // Now, who’s the fool? // Say I’m messing with your head again // Well, how you like the taste of your own medicine?”
Fan favorite “Wedding Dress,” captures lingering heartbreak with devastating honesty as she wonders if she’ll still miss an old love on her wedding day. Written years before Cloud 9, the Georgia native fears she’ll never get over a lost love. “What if I get married one day and I’m still missing him? When is this gonna stop?’” shared Moroney of her mindset when composing the track. “I was in shambles at the time and I couldn’t get the verses right, but when I finally moved on I was able to figure it all out.”
“I Only Miss You” is the first of two collaborations on the album, pairing Moroney with Ed Sheeran. Born from an unexpected night of camaraderie at the Bluebird, it’s a sparse Johnny-and-June-inspired country ballad that allows both singers to shine. It allows Sheeran to stretch outside his normal pop sensibilities, anchored in country perfection by Moroney’s more classic drawl.
The “Tennessee Orange” songstress truly stretches herself musically and thematically on the collection. “Beautiful Things” offers a gorgeously poignant moment, inspired by her two-year old niece. “The world is hard on beautiful things that shine,” She sings, inspiring fans far beyond her expectations, “You’re gonna be alright, it’s gonna be alright.”
“It’s the song I’m most proud of on the album,” She shares of “Beautiful Things. “If I can help someone’s day get even two percent better, that means the world to me.”
“Liars & Tigers & Bears” is the quintessential female empowerment anthem, offering a clever lyrical homage to The Wizard of Oz as she examines the double standards and unreasonable expectations placed on women.
“Speak your mind, but not too loud // Be sure of yourself, but never too proud // Paint yourself pretty, but don’t do too much// Be soft and not bitchy, but you better be tough // Smile real big, be happy to lose// Don’t have a bad day, there’s cameras on you// Champagne problems I know, I know just a wide – eyed girl, learning the ropes”
The album’s second collaboration pairs her with longtime inspiration, Kacey Musgraves. “Bells & Whistles” examines the sting of watching an ex move on. Yet, it’s ironically self-deprecating, as they trade verses about a girl who’s a bit more drama-free, but likely less exciting. “I know why you like her / She’s sweet and she’s simple / She’s like me without the bells and the whistles,” They lament, a hint of a chuckle lingering in their voices. “She don’t come with the spotlight // She’ll wait around all day long // And you don’t have to worry // You’ll wind up in a song.”
Tracks like “Wish I Didn’t” and “Convincing” showcase Moroney’s versatility, blending pop polish with country storytelling, while “Change of Heart” stands out sonically. It’s a unique and frenetic track, mixing stripped verses with wild choruses. Here, you’ll find the type of call and response live vocals that are perfect for an epic live moment.
The album closes with “Waiting on the Rain,” a lush, string-laden ballad that leans fully into bittersweet acceptance. It’s a fitting finale: cinematic, vulnerable, and quietly devastating. Featuring a chill-inducing string section and background vocals by Jamey Johnson, it’s a bittersweet ballad about a heart just waiting to break.
Ultimately, Cloud 9 feels like a defining moment for Megan Moroney. It allows her to step out into her own strength as both a person and an artist. “The whole experience taught me that keeping the pressure off and leaning into being fully myself is what ends up creating my favorite songs I’ve ever written. I hope that translates to everyone when they hear the album, and reminds them that they don’ t always have to take things so seriously. I hope it brings them that same kind of lightness and joy.”
Cloud 9 Track List:
- Cloud 9 (Megan Moroney, Luke Laird, Jessie Jo Dillon, and Ernest Keith Smith)*
- Medicine (Megan Moroney, Connie Harrington, Jessie Jo Dillon, and Jessi Alexander)*
- 6 Months Later (Megan Moroney, Ben Williams, Rob Hatch, and David “Messy” Mescon)*
- Stupid (Megan Moroney, Amy Allen, and David “Messy” Mescon)*
- Beautiful Things (Megan Moroney, Connie Harrington, Jessie Jo Dillon, and Jessi Alexander)*
- Convincing (Megan Moroney, Connie Harrington, Jessie Jo Dillon, and Jessi Alexander)*
- Liars & Tigers & Bears (Megan Moroney, Luke Laird, and Jessie Jo Dillon)*
- I Only Miss You (ft. Ed Sheeran) (Megan Moroney, Ben Williams, Mackenzie Carpenter, Micah Carpenter, and Ed Sheeran)*
- Wedding Dress (Megan Moroney, Ben Williams, and Colin Healy)+
- Change of Heart (Megan Moroney, Ben Williams, Mackenzie Carpenter, and Micah Carpenter)*
- Bells & Whistles (ft. Kacey Musgraves) (Megan Moroney, Ben Williams, Mackenzie Carpenter, and Micah Carpenter)*
- Table for Two (Megan Moroney, Ben Williams, Mackenzie Carpenter, and Micah Carpenter)^
- Wish I Didn’t (Megan Moroney, Emily Weisband, Hillary Lindsey, and Luke Laird)*
- Who Hurt You? (Megan Moroney, Luke Laird, and Jessie Jo Dillon)*
- Waiting on the Rain (Megan Moroney, Luke Laird, and Jessie Jo Dillon)*
Country Swag Picks:
- Wish I Didn’t
- Liars & Tigers & Bears
- Bells & Whistles
- Wedding Dress

Megan Moroney shares brand new album, ‘Cloud 9,’ out now on all streaming platforms.
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Cloud 9 available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.















