Morris releases sophomore effort

Humble Quest

Seeing Greg Kurstin listed as the producer on Maren Morris' "Humble Quest" album, can't help but raise a few eyebrows. His resume includes the likes of Pink and Sia, but not many country-related artists. Furthermore, it wasn't too long ago that Morris had big hit with "The Middle," a decidedly pop hit single recorded with the Russian-German producer, Zedd. This album's results are not as overtly pop as that recording, but not as country as her country hit "My Church. ...

GIRL

Maren Morris, who had a huge pop hit with "The Middle," is never going to be anybody's ideal traditional country singer. Although, thankfully, there isn't anything that mind-numbingly beat-driven on her "GIRL" album, this is a full-length that will likely appeal as much to Morris' pop fans, as her country followers. The first great song, "A Song For Everything," addresses that mysterious intersection between one's favorite songs and significant life events. ...

Hero

Maren Morris scored a hit out of the box with "My Church," the best of 11 songs on her major label full-length debut. The Texan infuses the song she wrote with uber producer busbee (he's worked with everyone from Keith Urban on "Ripcord" to 5 Seconds of Summer and Shakira and is one of three producers here including Morris) with mighty vocals powering a midtempo, soulful reading extolling the redemptive powers of playing music with the windows rolled down. ...