Country singer-songwriter Megan Moroney has cemented herself as a rising name in country music, blending a mix of pop and classic country genres throughout her discography. Moroney first gained popularity with her 2023 hit “Tennessee Orange” and continued her breakout success with her debut album “Lucky” that same year before releasing her sophomore album “Am I Okay?” in 2024.

Moroney’s “emo-cowgirl” aesthetic quickly became her brand after she posted a video explaining how she incorporated it into her discography. This aesthetic grows more evident with the release of her third studio album, “Cloud 9,” on Feb. 20. Moroney released four singles before the full album’s release, two of which came with an accompanying video. The four singles teased the overall themes of “Cloud 9,” showcasing different stages of a relationship.

The album highlights Moroney’s strengths, specifically through her authentic storytelling and sophisticated production. Below is The Black & White’s ranking of every song on the album from worst to best.

15. Table for Two (5/10)

One thing Moroney excels at is capturing the range of messy emotions that come with falling in love. A more twangy track, “Table for Two,” features Moroney wrestling with herself about whether she should reach out to her ex. It’s one of the weaker songs from “Cloud 9,” with the melancholic guitar and percussion sounding bland and monotonous. Although the beat picks up slightly at the end, as Moroney begins to feel more optimistic about getting in contact with her ex, the rest of the song lacks inspiration.

Best lyric: “Is now a bad time to let you know / I kind of still love you?”

14. Stupid (6/10)

Moroney’s “Stupid,” with its witty lyrics and pop-heavy synths, almost resembles “Good Graces” by Sabrina Carpenter. The overwhelming background sounds drag the track down lower in rankings, with the heavy instrumentation drowning out Moroney’s polished vocals. Moroney cleverly flips male unreliability into female self-doubt, as she sings about the disbelief that comes with being ghosted.

Best lyric: “With a girl like me, you don’t just disappear.”

13. Convincing (6/10)

“Convincing” is another slower track where an acoustic guitar and Moroney’s wistful vocals lead, emphasizing her lyrical maturity. However, “Convincing” doesn’t stand out from the rest of the album, sounding similar to other tracks like “Wedding Dress” and “Beautiful Things.” The song’s arrangement is on brand for Moroney, making it a standard song about falling in love at first sight. It’s a pure, hopeful ode to things finally going right in her love life, but its resemblance to Moroney’s other discography makes it unmemorable and flat.

Best lyric: “This feels way too lights, camera, action.”

12. Beautiful Things (7/10)

“Beautiful Things” acts as a somewhat underwhelming testament to Moroney’s stability as a country artist. Its tearful lyrics and soothing guitar evoke melodies from previous, more vulnerable songs on Moroney’s album “Am I Okay?,” such as “Noah” and “28th of June.” The song acknowledges life’s hardships while serving as a quiet reminder of self-worth and persistence. With hopeful lyrics like “God made a work of art, girl, don’t pick yourself apart,” Moroney created a tender anthem for anyone with insecurities who is learning to accept themselves.

Best lyric: “It ain’t what you are, it’s what he isn’t.”

11. I Only Miss You (feat. Ed Sheeran) (7.5/10)

Featuring pop legend Sheeran, “I Only Miss You” opens with an acoustic guitar, slowly transitioning into a steady, more gentle rhythm during the chorus. The two seem like an unexpected duo on paper, and unfortunately, “I Only Miss You” isn’t anything special. The lyrics are purposefully simple as Moroney sings, “I only miss you when I’m breathing,” meant to show the aftermath of losing such an all-consuming relationship. Moroney and Sheeran are known for their honest lyricism about heartbreak, but together, their voices struggle to complement each other.

Best lyric: “I’ve been running from your memory / But damn, it keeps on catching up.”

10. Waiting On the Rain (7.5/10)

After taking her listeners on a rollercoaster of emotions, Moroney ends “Cloud 9” with a heartbreaking ballad leaning into bittersweet acceptance. The song is beautiful yet devastating, with Moroney wondering what she’s supposed to do, knowing all her relationships are going to fall apart. “Waiting On the Rain” is wistful in the best way, encompassing all the feelings Moroney has towards love. The chilling string section, background vocals by country singer Jamey Johnson and Moroney’s effortless vocals work seamlessly to create the most fitting finale to an emotionally packed album.

Best lyric: “Right on time, here comes the tears on the windowpane / Just like the ones comin’ down my face.”

9. Cloud 9 (8/10)

Moroney released the title track, “Cloud 9,” as her most recent single before the album. The song mixes the sense of lovestruck bliss seen in Moroney’s “Tennessee Orange” with a more ’70s-style groove typical of more classic country music. While it’s nothing special, “Cloud 9” is a nice transition from the other, more heartbreaking singles to one focusing on finding happiness and assurance in a new relationship. With its guitar-driven instrumentals, “Cloud 9” is a nice song but unfortunately a weak title track that doesn’t stand out compared to the rest of the album’s poignant energy.

Best lyric: “Gravity’s calling, ain’t picking up the phone / This view that I’ve got is the best that I’ve known.”

8. Liars & Tigers & Bears (8/10)

“Liars & Tigers & Bears” shifts away from the themes of love and heartbreak present in the rest of “Cloud 9” as Moroney sings about fame’s pressures and demands. Moroney doesn’t hold back in “Liars & Tigers & Bears,” taking a pointed stance towards the music industry and its high expectations. The song starts with dicey, almost cinematic strums that transition into a chilling synth sound, complementing the falsetto-based chorus. With the majority of the songs on “Cloud 9” being about love, “Liars & Tigers & Bears” is a nice break, giving the album a more authentic feel.

Best lyric: “So, work ’til it kills you, but don’t actually die.”

7. Wedding Dress (8/10)

Arguably the most heartbreaking song from the album, “Wedding Dress” focuses on the fear of never moving on from a past relationship, even by the time Moroney is standing at the altar. A subtle steel guitar complements Moroney’s graceful vocals, making the track highly emotional. “Wedding Dress” reflects the fear that heartbreak will never fade. Moroney’s honesty gives the song a sense of intimacy absent in some of the other songs on “Cloud 9.” 

Best lyric: “And I’m about to say ‘I do,’ / Then out of the blue, I think of you?”

6. Medicine (8.5/10)

The mood switch from Moroney’s opening track, “Cloud 9,” to “Medicine” is drastically different, with the instrumentation on “Medicine” being sharp and much more ’90s country-esque. With its snare-driven rhythms, dynamic guitar solo and background piano, “Medicine” is a track built to be sung at a country concert. Moroney blends her snarky humor through sarcastic lyrics as she sings about one-upping her significant other. Despite mediocre lyrics, “Medicine” is a classic Moroney track. 

Best lyric: “Say I’m messing with your head again / Well, how you like the taste of your own medicine?”

5. Change of Heart (9/10)

Moroney’s cleverness is obvious in “Change of Heart” as the tempos change back and forth, as if her listeners are inside the chaos of her head as she faces her contradictory feelings about a past lover. The song starts slowly, with a smooth acoustic guitar accompanying Moroney’s comfortable vocals. Then, the chorus comes crashing in as Moroney changes her mind about falling in love. “Change of Heart” is unique in how it doesn’t stick to the same beat throughout the song, making it the perfect track for a live concert.

Best lyric: “Everytime I think I hate you, I go back to the start.”

4. Wish I Didn’t (9/10)

Moroney’s latest single, “Wish I Didn’t,” is a sassy, catchy track, warning her love interest that he needs to stay loyal or face the consequences. The song is fresh and lighthearted; however, its lyrics lack some of Moroney’s signature charm compared to the rest of the album. The video for “Wish I Didn’t” features reality star Dylan Efron as they shuffle through a series of fictional, action-packed scenes, giving the song’s already vibrant feel an even more lively beat.

Best lyric: “Some cold killers have guns, but I’ve got songs.”

3. Bells & Whistles (feat. Kacey Musgraves) (9.5/10)

“Bells & Whistles” is a much slower, almost wilting, tune compared to songs like “Medicine” and “6 Months Later.” It features country singer Kacey Musgraves, and their voices complement each other wonderfully. Musgraves’ deeper register works seamlessly with Moroney’s lighter tone, creating a soothing harmony. In “Bells & Whistles,” Moroney and Musgraves contrast their artistic, fearless lifestyle with the gentle and relaxed perspective of the woman their potential lover chose instead. “Bells & Whistles” emphasizes the constant comparison that comes from societal expectations for women, making it stand out from the album.

Best lyric: “I’m not me without the bells and the whistles.”

2. 6 Months Later (9.5/10)

“6 Months Later” opens with Moroney’s confident vocals as she begins singing about the initial letdown of losing the one you love. The song’s refined blend of country pop with its subtle synth, layered acoustic strums and steel guitar gives it a refreshing sound as Moroney sings about the “moving on” stage of a breakup. In the satirical music video, Moroney works at a “karma hotline” and chooses the worst outcomes for her ex-boyfriend, all of which lead him to call her back at the end of the video. The video encapsulates the song’s message, emphasizing Moroney’s resilience and healing process after her breakup.

Best lyric: “What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger and blonder and hotter.”

1. Who Hurt You? (10/10)

Rumors are flying about Moroney’s “Who Hurt You?” and its connection to her and country star Riley Green’s past relationship. Moroney’s masterful storytelling shines in this closing track as she contemplates how a past lover could hurt a girl that badly. The delicate acoustics alongside the sweeping strings create a significant build-up to the bridge of the song, as Moroney realizes she’s better off alone than with someone who’s constantly bringing her down. The song’s suspense makes the bridge even more compelling, as Moroney sings straight from the heart, not holding back in describing the shortcomings of her previous partner. 

Best lyric: “Your ego, it needs feeding / Endlessly, relentlessly / At the cost of me.”

Overall, Moroney deserves a round of applause for producing such a pristine yet emotionally raw album. “Cloud 9” leans heavily into traditional country while also mixing in Moroney’s signature vulnerability, conveying her strength as she deals with love, loss, disappointment and heartbreak. The lyrics are sharp, genuine and painful in the best way, making “Cloud 9” a defining moment for Moroney as she enters the next phase of the country music industry.