Intermission (Maren Morris EP)
Intermission | ||||
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EP by | ||||
Released | August 2, 2024 | |||
Genre | Pop | |||
Length | 14:59 | |||
Label | Columbia Records | |||
Producer |
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Maren Morris chronology | ||||
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Singles from Intermission | ||||
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Intermission is the fifth extended play by American singer-songwriter Maren Morris. It was released on August 2, 2024 by Columbia Records.[3] The EP consists of five tracks, all co-written by Morris. Evan Blair produced three out of the five tracks. She also collaborated with producers Joel Little, and Naomi McPherson.[4][5]
Intermission was preceded by the singles "cut!" featuring guest vocals from Julia Michaels,[6] and "i hope i never fall in love".[7] It marks Morris first project to be labeled as Pop, after her departure from the industry of Country Music, which she discussed on her previous extended play, The Bridge (2023).[8][9]
Background and composition
[edit]Morris described the project as new start on her music career and personal life, saying: “It’s a break in the act, and for me, it’s definitely an act break and new chapter of my life, and I’m so ready to see what’s on the other page."[10] As well, revealing that “It wasn’t easy to write, because I’m going through a lot, and this is the diary of that." She concluded that the EP "It’s just about my feelings".”[11]
According to Morris, the lead single and opening track “cut!" is about letting herself "fall apart", after pretending things are fine.[12] "i hope i never fall in love" retails the singer hopes of remaining single after the end of a long relantionship. Critics speculated that the song is about her feelings post-divorce from country singer-songwriter Ryan Hurd.[13] On "push me out" she sings about exploring her sexuality.[14] Meanwhile "because, of course" is a love song to his son[15] and "this is how a woman leaves" details her feelings on her split with her former husband.[16]
Promotion
[edit]To promote the extended play, two singles were released beforehand. "cut!" served as the lead single, and features guest vocals from American singer-songwriter Julia Michaels.[17] It marks their second collaboration after previously working together as co-writters on Morris 2022 single, "Circles Around This Town".[18]
"cut!" was released on June 21, with an official lyric video.[19][20] "i hope i never fall in love" was released as the second single of the extended play on July 12.[21][22][23]
Alongside the EP release, lyrics videos for the remaining three songs were released on Morris' YouTube channel.[24] She eventually continued promoting the project on her RSVP Redux Tour.[25][26]
Reception
[edit]Intermission received generally favourable reviews from music critics.
Justin Cober-Lake from Spectrum Culture described Intermission as "Morris takes a break for some catharsis, but also reveals the power yet to come. It’s a short release set at a fairly steady pitch, but it likely indicates a pivotal moment in the star’s story."[27] He also praised the closing track "this is how a woman leaves", as it showcase Morris "best vocal performance".[27]
Track listing
[edit]No. | Title | Lyrics | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "cut" (featuring Julia Michaels) | Joel Little | 02:08 | |
2. | "i hope i never fall in love" |
| Evan Blair | 03:37 |
3. | "push me over" |
| Naomi McPherson | 03:37 |
4. | "because, of course" | Blair | 02:47 | |
5. | "this is how a woman leaves" |
| Blair | 02:49 |
Total length: | 14:59 |
Personnel
[edit]Musicians
- Maren Morris — vocals (all tracks)
- Joel Little — programming, keyboards, percussion, synthesizer (1)
- Julia Michaels — background vocals, lead vocals (1)
- Naomi McPherson — guitar, programming, keyboards (3)
- Josette Maskin — guitar (3)
- Geo Botelho — bass guitar (3)
- Katie Gavin — background vocals (3)
- Evan Blair — bass, guitar (4-5)
- Steven Wolf — drums (4-5)
- Rob Moose — strings (5)
- Madi Diaz — background vocals (5)
Technical
- Joel Little —engineer (track 1)
- Denis Kosiak — engineer (1)
- Adam Burt — assistant engineer (1)
- Katie Harvey — assistant engineer (1)
- Nate Mingo — assistant engineer (1-2)
- Dale Becker — mastering engineer (all tracks)
- Alex Ghenea — mixing engineer (all tracks)
- Kegn Venegas — assistant engineer (2)
- Jimmy Robbins — engineer, vocal producer (3)
- Naomi McPherson — assistant engineer (3)
- Geo Botelho — assistant engineer (3)
- Evan Blair — vocal recording engineer (4-5)
Release history
[edit]Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Various | 2 August 2024 | [3] |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Maren Morris Gives Herself 'Permission to Fall Apart' on Raw New Song 'Cut!' with Julia Michaels".
- ^ "Maren Morris Says 'I Hope I Never Fall in Love' on New Song, Inspired by the 'Afterglow of a S---show'".
- ^ a b Intermission - EP by Maren Morris on Apple Music, 2024-08-02, retrieved 2024-09-08
- ^ Nicholson, Jessica (2024-06-20). "Maren Morris Is Taking an 'Intermission' With New 5-Song Project Coming Soon". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
- ^ Aniftos, Rania (2024-08-02). "Maren Morris Unveils 'Intermission' EP: Stream It Now". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
- ^ "Maren Morris & Julia Michaels Share New Single "cut!": Listen". Stereogum. 2024-06-21. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
- ^ Blistein, Jon (2024-07-12). "Maren Morris Isn't Making That Mistake Again on New Song 'I Hope I Never Fall in Love'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
- ^ Mendez, Chris Malone. "Maren Morris Takes A Personal 'Intermission' With Her New EP". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
- ^ Grow, Kory (2023-09-15). "Maren Morris Packs Her Bags on Kiss-Off EP 'The Bridge'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
- ^ @marenmorris, Maren Morris (29 July 2024). "Intermission is yours this friday 💕". Instagram. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
- ^ Dailey, Hannah (2024-07-30). "Maren Morris Isn't Holding Back on 'Intermission': 'I Don't Have to Protect Anyone Anymore'". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
- ^ "Maren Morris announces new EP, Intermission and shares new single "cut!"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
- ^ Thompson, Erik. "Maren Morris Reveals 'I Hope I Never Fall In Love,' Is About Life Post-Divorce". Effingham Radio. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
- ^ Willman, Chris (2024-08-02). "Maren Morris Says Muna, 'the Professors of Gay,' Helped Quell Her 'Bi-Panic' — and Offered Advice About Dating a Woman While Collaborating on Sexy New Song, 'Push Me Over'". Variety. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
- ^ "Maren Morris Slates New EP 'Intermission' for August | Holler". holler.country. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
- ^ Stivale, Shelby (2024-08-02). "Maren Morris Sings About Ryan Hurd Divorce on Intermission EP". Us Weekly. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
- ^ "Maren Morris announces new EP out Aug. 2, releases single "cut!" featuring Julia Michaels » // MELODIC Magazine". www.melodicmag.com. 2024-06-27. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
- ^ "Maren Morris Drops New Single 'Circles Around This Town,' Her Most Autobiographical Song Yet". Peoplemag. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
- ^ cut! - Single by Maren Morris & Julia Michaels on Apple Music, 2024-06-20, retrieved 2024-09-11
- ^ Maren Morris (2024-06-20). Maren Morris & Julia Michaels - cut! (Official Lyric Video). Retrieved 2024-09-11 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Maren Morris Shares New Song "i hope i never fall in love": Listen". Stereogum. 2024-07-12. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
- ^ Maren Morris, Spotify (12 July 2024). ""i hope i never fall in love" Single by Maren Morris". Spotify. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
- ^ MarenMorrisVEVO (2024-07-11). Maren Morris - i hope i never fall in love (Official Lyric Video). Retrieved 2024-09-11 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Maren Morris". YouTube. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
- ^ @marenmorris, Maren Morris (29 March 2024). "can't wait to sing with y'all. tickets for the RSVP Redux Tour are on sale today at 10am local. 💌". Instagram. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
- ^ @marenmorris, Maren Morris (13 August 2024). "did you push me over or did I?". Instagram. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
- ^ a b "Maren Morris: Intermission". Spectrum Culture. 2024-08-09. Retrieved 2024-09-11.