The Debut Album From Lauren Morse Is Here

The Sweetest Sound released earlier this month and Melinoe Macaria Mourningstar explored

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Welcome Ghouls, Demons and Fellow Wyrd Ones! As we circle back to one of the lovely Artists I witnessed at TreeHouseNash (See Rock Oracle Article), today we dive into her Debut Album Review! Y’all may recall our Northern-Southern Folk Americana creative, Lauren Morse! How could one forget the “Alanis Morissette, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash with a Splash of June,” and our, “Southern, Pirate with an edge” of this modern era. I know I sure haven’t forgotten the mark she left upon my heart. Especially when you consider that this style of music is not a typical genre that makes its way into my music rotation.

As a Metal-Grunge-Punk girly pop, I am always intrigued by Artists that welcome me into their Divergent Path and expand my palate with a new style of music. At TreeHouse Nash, Lauren performed her songs acoustically. Pulling at the heartstrings of us all with her profound lyrics and message. After connecting, I was inspired to dive into her Debut Studio Album and witness the production of her Art. Before we get into it, I asked Lauren to share a message with the audience. An insight into what it is her heart and soul wishes you all would know and take into consideration before, during and after listening to her album that released on March 6th.

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“I would love an audience to know that since this is my first album, I knew it would set the precedent about the kind of music I make and the messages I make with it. This album encompasses all I would like to be known for, if all was said and done. I hope people embrace nature, love, and community over material possessions or status symbols to find true happiness within life and themselves. I want to be an artist who speaks on the injustices of the world in hopes of awakening acknowledgment and assimilation. I love hard, I dance free, I feel a lot and I want to share it all with a tribe that does the same.” -Lauren

A beautiful quote. One that I couldn’t have expressed better myself. I find it necessary to more artists to share their bleeding heart of change for the world. Nowadays, too many mindless, mediocre, arrogant and soulless folks are creating art. Whether with quick gimmicks, trendy quotas or AI thievery (I am Looking
at you Spotify), we are missing the Soul of the Muse. Everyone wants to get rich, get famous and get laid. In fact, most male musicians will admit to only learning an instrument in order to find their way into the skirts of females. Fucking PATHETIC! What happened to the passion? How can we reverse the Social Media bandwagon of quantity over quality? We can start by supporting Artists, Musicians and Creatives alike who have no other purpose in their art outside of living a Life of their Dreams and Being the Change they Wish to See in the World. Artists/Musicians like Lauren Morse.

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We open her Album with the Album Titled Song “The Sweetest Sound.” Now let me tell you, this song truly is the sweetest sound. Beginning with an endearing child-like giggle, we move into a slow tempo of acoustic guitar, pedal steel and a light fiddle. A lovely Country Ballad that truly sets the stage for the overall essence of the Album. I have to say it is one of my favorite songs on the album. One I will add to my diverse “Liked Songs” Playlist. This style of performance is highly preferable to Lauren and her voice.

After finishing the entire album, I felt as if I was missing more of these performance styles within her work. Not to say that the album flops after such a powerful opener. It is simply my personal preference of sound. As someone with the music taste I have, if I am to remain within this genre, I would appreciate more songs
of this caliber. If you are a Folk Americana/Country fan, the transition into the second song, “Coastal Cowgirl will be a perfect progression. As will the remaining tunes. (Read TreeHouse Nash Rock Oracle for more insights on Songs Performed on this Album).

The Sweetest Sound is a beautiful collection of songs. Capturing the theatrics and full spectrum
of emotions within story telling. While listening I envisioned a Play, a Movie and a Dance. There are smooth shifts into varying story elements. Depicting the Exposition, Climax and Resolutions within Lauren’s Artistic Message. Presenting the same frequency of Iconic Musings such as Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats.” If Lauren continues down this road, she very well could be the one of the next Pop-Country Stars of her Class. Many of the songs within the album remind me of the soundtrack to your favorite comfort movie, such as A Walk to Remember. Or the Feel-Good tone of the best Country Hallmark (Holiday) movies we all cozy up and gush over. I could see her songs playing along as the main character moves through various lessons of character development. Planting seeds of wisdom and humanity into our psyches. As well, I see this debut album as a fruitful Seed Lauren has planted for herself.

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Lauren is a promising young woman, with a talent the world deserves to witness and absorb. It was truly an honor to meditate upon her workings, as I most certainly feel into her soul purpose within her creative path. However, I felt as if Lauren was holding back within the album. Almost playing it a bit safe. Dipping her toes into the ocean, not sure if she is capable of diving into the depth of the sea. I would love to see her lose herself within her passion. Tapping deeper into the shadows of her Scorpio Moon. This is not a negative critique, but a message of encouragement. The album was a phenomenal foundational totem to display within her discography. An ode to her inner child. I simply want to feel more of her wrath and bear witness to the aches of her soul. Particularly as a grown woman. Her lyrics are profound and I do not want them to be depicted as “shallow”. If anything, I found Lauren to be doing what women have been forced to do forages. And that is water themselves down. Remain digestible and palatable to the world. A feminine rage that has to be packaged ever so specifically in order to be respected.

Her soul has a message to share. One we all need to hear. I would love for her next album to be an omen of that depth. I want to hear a darker tone, with more Blues (and Rockabilly-Jazz) to her BlueGrass Sound. I want a concept album full of Feminine Rage. I don’t want a Coffee House sway. I want to lay imbedded within the earth, as the rain blends in with my tears. Lauren is capable of expressing the full spectrum of human emotion. With the Sweetest Sound, we can tap into the more subtle and soft realms of these emotions. Yet, I found myself hearing her want to say more. Do more. Dive Deeper. I want to encourage her to do us all a favor and create such a masterpiece. But, that is my own bias. I do not want to control the tides that reside
within Lauren. I am excited to see how she progresses as an artist. I believe she has various paths to choose when it comes to her music. Her talent can be orchestrated and channelled into a variety of mediums and worlds.

With that, this is a perfect Debut Album that truly sets her tone. She has a whole lifetime full of time to express all the songs that have built up within her. If she so chooses, we will all be blessed with such diversity of music. Genre hoping more than Lana Del Ray. And whether Lauren chooses to go Pop-Country, double down with the Fiddler Jam Band or Jazz it up with a Southern Gothic Dark Depth, we will continue to receive beautiful works from her. Her voice, and poetry, will leave the impact of a Hot-Iron Brand imbedded within our Hearts and Soul.

I highly recommend this Debut Album to any and all Music Lovers. I recommend listening as you relax within a hot bath or while you’re walking along a gorgeous southern trail on your way to the River Banks. There will be moments in which you may feel the urge to get up and dance. I suggest requesting a solid song, or two, to the local Line-Dance Bar DJ. However you choose to take the time to listen, you won’t regret welcoming in this dose of Medicine from this gift of the Muse.

As Always, Live Deliciously. Love Authentically. And, Stay Wyrd.
-Melinoe Macaria Mourningstar

Photos Courtesy of KB Wilder

KB Wilder is a photographer based out of a rural town in Tennessee, who travels all over the
world, working with musicians, cowboys, and brands.“I don’t do coffee shop meetings. I want to sit in the bed of my truck and eat tacos from a gas station food-truck and talk with you all afternoon as the Southern summer sun sets. I want to talk about your album and plan our photoshoot while we fish and my dogs run around, getting us muddy. I can’t take overhearing one more Nashville tech bro talkin’ about his million dollar deals in a coffee shop with nowhere to park my truck. I reckon that’s about all you need to know about me and working with me.”
-KB Wilder
Holler at Her!
@kbfromtennessee
www.kbfromtennessee.com
kbfromtennessee@gmail.com