Underground (Universal, 2016)

Claiming to have too many songs to choose from, Kip Moore's solution to his surplus was to release "Underground," an EP. "Everywhere we go the fans keep asking for the recordings of these underground songs that they've been hearing for the last few years," he said. "They're a passionate fan base so I decided to ask my label if I could record these songs live and give them the raw recordings."

Moore co-wrote all five tracks, which include two studio cuts and three live numbers. He makes the most of the brief 20-minutes by incorporating several sub genres, from garage rock to jazz. The album starts off with the full throttle hard luck anthem "All Time Low." It shifts gears quickly on the following "My Kind."The basic 4x4 drum beat and jazzy guitar gives the toe tapper an upbeat feel that counters the threat of a bar fight with the protagonist's crew. "I'll make you a promise, If you're looking for trouble to find/ you're gonna get it from me and my kind," Moore sings.

The no frills live track section kicks off with the Springsteen vibe of "Midnight Slow Dance," recorded during a sound check. There was a 3-� year gap between his award winning debut, "Up All Night" and his sophomore effort, "Wild Ones." In light of its quick release and unfamiliar songs to the casual fan, "Underground" feels less like a stopgap between albums and manages to stand on its own despite its brevity.