On Feb. 20, country-pop artist Megan Moroney released her third studio album “Cloud 9.” Known for previous hits like “Tennessee Orange” and “No Caller ID,” Moroney blends honest lyricism with catchy melodies and “Cloud 9” is only the next installment in her evolving discography.
Four singles were released ahead of the album: “6 Months Later” in June 2025, “Beautiful Things” in October 2025, “Wish I Didn’t” in Jan. and the title track “Cloud 9” on Feb. 6. These four songs, the perfect mix of heartfelt and spunky, provided a glimpse into the rest of the album.
Of the 15 tracks, “Wedding Dress” is easily my favorite. The title makes it seem like it should be a happy song, but it’s actually the opposite: Moroney sings about how paralyzing it can feel to miss an ex and the fear of that feeling affecting future relationships. She wrote it several years ago and included it in “Cloud 9” because of her fans’ pleas. The heartache that inspired this song is evident in her voice and there is a rawness to it that the rest of the songs on the album don’t have.
Two other standout tracks are “Who Hurt You?” and Moroney’s duet with Ed Sheeran, “I Only Miss You.” These songs are very different from each other, with “Who Hurt You?” featuring an angry, confused version of Moroney and “I Only Miss You” focusing on the quieter moments of pain after a breakup. Although they represent separate stages of heartbreak, they are both unapologetic examples of the depth and authenticity of Moroney’s songwriting. I would argue that “Who Hurt You?” deserves to be the last song on the album, instead of “Waiting On the Rain,” since its intense bridge makes it the perfect choice to end with a bang.
Since I originally listened to “Cloud 9” in order, the first track I knew I would have on repeat (besides the singles) was “Convincing.” Moroney describes romantic moments that, to outsiders, highlight a healthy relationship, but she has doubts about the authenticity of those moments. The gentle guitar accompaniment and the imagery used in the lyrics add a dreaminess that previous songs like “Medicine” and “Stupid” can’t compete with.
That being said, “Medicine” and “Stupid” are good songs for other reasons. They showcase Moroney’s confidence, a trait shared by many of the upbeat songs on the album, and their fast tempos make the playful lyricism all the more impressive. The biggest problem I have with these songs, as well as “6 Months Later” and “Wish I Didn’t,” is that I find them to be more alike than different, so they don’t stand out individually.
A similarly fast-paced bonus track, “Sorry… I Meant Tonight,” was released on Feb. 27. While the beat is similar to the tracks I mentioned above, its distinguishing aspect is that it’s one of only two genuinely happy love songs on “Cloud 9,” with the other one being the title track. These songs, especially “Sorry… I Meant Tonight,” capture the fun of being in love and are perfect for dancing around your room. Moroney’s songs are typically either high-energy breakup anthems or subdued love songs, so to hear them combined in “Sorry… I Meant Tonight” is satisfying.
“Cloud 9” is the type of album that has several showstopping tracks supplemented by some that are much more underwhelming. For example, I haven’t listened to “Change of Heart,” “Waiting on the Rain,” “Table for Two” or Moroney’s duet with Kacey Musgraves, “Bells & Whistles,” since release day because there isn’t anything special about them. Even compared to some of Moroney’s older songs, the lyrics are simple and the accompaniment isn’t effective in offsetting that. These tracks felt like afterthoughts in the production process and struck me as “filler songs” rather than future hits.
While Moroney’s discography mainly focuses on the ups and downs of romance, two songs on “Cloud 9” stray from that standard. “Beautiful Things,” originally written for her niece, is a hopeful reminder to love yourself when it’s hard. “Liars & Tigers & Bears” sheds light on the challenges celebrities face, from disloyal friends to expectations that are impossible to meet. Both topics are addressed authentically through clever metaphors, making these songs highlights of the album.
Altogether, “Cloud 9” encompasses every stage of love, from first crushes represented in “Sorry… I Meant Tonight” to the triumphant feeling of moving on described in “6 Months Later.” It’s written from the perspective of someone who desperately wants to experience a fairy tale-esque relationship but acknowledges the challenges in finding a love like that. The development in Moroney’s songwriting and production techniques is clear and I would hesitantly say it is her best album yet.
