The lone wolf.
Today, Kip Moore released his sixth studio album Solitary Tracks, which is dense and expansive, coming in with a tracklist of 23 songs, easily the biggest record he’s ever put out.
With a brand new label, the last time we heard from Kip in an official capacity in terms of an album was when he put out his fifth studio album Damn Love in early 2023, though he’s turned the page to a new chapter, signed with Virgin Music Group, after leaving his longtime label MCA Nashville last year.
Co-produced by Moore with Jaren Johnston and additional production by Oscar Charles and Jay Joyce (Eric Church, Lainey Wilson), there is something for everyone on this album, that includes songs about life, lessons, and of course, love and loss, one of his specialties.
Following Damn Love, which didn’t seem to have the staying power or buzz compared to his previous albums, I was excited by the prospect of a fresh start with his new label and inspirations, as well as the sound of the new songs we’ve already heard in pre-released singles like “Learning As I Go,” “Live Here To Work,” “Flowers in December,” “Wildfire” and “Bad Spot.”
I still think songs like “Live Here To Work” and “Bad Spot” are two my favorites still, but like I said, with 23 songs to listen through, there’s a lot of variety, and this project feels much more in line with the kind of production and feel that we’re used to. At certain points, it reminded me a lot of his 2017 Slowheart album which I mean as a high compliment and many of his longtime fans will love. But like I’ve said about almost anyone who has put out a “double album” (this isn’t billed as a double album, but that’s basically what it is), there are points where it kind of all runs together for me, and I think pairing it down with just the strongest songs would’ve made for a really stellar record. Trimming the fat, so to speak, is a good idea for any album, even if you’re Michael Jackson, in my humble opinion.
Overall, though, it’s solid, and the writing is certainly refined and some of his strongest in terms of the contents and reflection that feels really mature and elevated. Kip says the theme of Solitary Tracks is about gambling on yourself, learning to be “bold enough to trust your gut” and willing to roll the dice if you believe in something:
“There’s no pattern you have to follow, and sometimes you gotta gamble on yourself. You gotta be bold enough to trust your gut, and willing to roll those dice if you believe something. I’m never going to cheat by just trying to write what I think people want to hear, or hold onto a sound that worked for me.
I have to constantly stretch and go where I need to go, or it’s going to be disingenuous. I’m going to always be authentic with myself, with every record, and all I ever hope is that people find a little solace. This project is a journey in itself, so I hope it helps people navigate their own life.”
In terms of songs I think show off his artistry and talent, “Like Ya Stole It” is a sweet nod to his father and references some of his previous hits like “Somethin’ ‘Bout a Truck,” and is really heartfelt and touching. “Southern Son” pulled at my own heartstrings as a southerner who is deeply influenced by that place, and I knew it’d be one that stood out to me right away, and I already have it on repeat.
I think the only thing it felt like it was missing were a few more of those upbeat, rock and roll bangers he does so well, along the lines of “Live Here To Work,” though “Alley Cat” has one of the more funky, cool feels I always look to him for. The second half really picks up, in terms of the production but also the punch and quality of the songs which are Kip at his finest. Solitary Tracks starts off slow and pretty earnest, which is a major theme throughout and something that kind of surprised me because it’s just so different than what he normally does.
Kip has always been an interesting figure in terms of his place in country, because he started off with huge mainstream hits like “Beer Money,” though his catalog is much more deep and impressive than his radio hits from over a decade ago. He is an international touring machine, and has built a massive audience by grinding it out on the road and doing things his own way. His songs are great, he has a unique sound and something to say, though he’s never found lasting and consistent radio success despite it… though if there’s one thing his career this far has proved, is that you don’t need it to build a sustainable, successful career anyways. He’s the proof that if you continually work to hone the craft of songwriting and performing, you’ll continue to build your fanbase everywhere you go.
Kip has always been a lone wolf on his own journey making Solitary Tracks, but this album represents that maybe he’s just grown up some and realized that can be your greatest strength and something to embrace.
You can check out some of my favorites below.
“Like Ya Stole It”
“Southern Son”
“Solitary Tracks”
“Forever is a Lie”
“Take What You Can Get”
Solitary Tracks Tracklist:
01) High Hopes
02) Solitary Tracks
03) Pretty Horses
04) Livin’ Side
05) Around You
06) Half Full Cup
07) Bad Spot
08) Straight Line Boots
09) Rivers Don’t Run
10) Burn
11) Like Ya Stole It
12) Southern Son
13) Learning As I Go
14) Alley Cat
15) Live Here to Work
16) Love And War
17) Flowers In December
18) Forever is a Lie
19) Wildfire
20) Tough Enough
21) Good Things Never Last
22) Take What You Can Get
23) Only Me
Kip Moore Tour Dates:
04/04 – Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
04/05 – Penticton, BC @ South Okanagan Events Centre
04/06 – Victoria, BC @ Royal Theatre
04/10 – Lethbridge, AB @ ENMAX Centre
04/11 – Calgary, AB @ Cowboys Dance Hall
04/12 – Edmonton, AB @ Midway Music Hall
04/15 – Winnipeg, MB @ Club Regent Casino/Club Regent Event Centre
04/17 – Sault Ste. Marie, ON @ The Machine Shop
04/18 – Sudbury, ON @ The Grand
04/19 – London, ON @ London Music Hall
04/24 – Toronto, ON @ Danforth Music Hall
04/25 – Montreal, QC @ Theatre Beanfield
05/17 – Stockholm, SW @ Nalen
05/18 – Oslo, NO @ Rockefeller Music Hall
05/21 – Hamburg, DE @ Docks
05/23 – Cologne, DE @ E-Werk
05/24 – Stuttgart, DE @ Im Wizemann – Halle
05/25 – Zurich, CH @ Kaufleuten
05/28 – Tilburg, NL @ 13
05/30 – Birmingham, UK @ Academy
05/31 – Leeds, UK @ Academy
06/01 – Belfast, UK @ SSE Arena
06/04 – Newcastle, UK @ City Hall
06/05 – Glasgow, UK @ OVO Hydro Arena
06/07 – London, UK @ Brixton Academy
06/08 – Manchester, UK @ Apollo
06/27 – St. Augustine, FL @ St. Augustine Amphitheatre*
06/28 – Boca Raton, FL @ Mizner Park Amphitheater*
07/10 – Airway Heights, WA @ BECU Live at Northern Quest*
07/11 – Ben, OR @ Hayden Homes Amphitheater*
07/18 – Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre*
07/19 – San Diego, CA @ Gallagher Square at Petco Park*
07/25 – Roanoke, VA @ Elmwood Park Amphitheater*
07/26 – Doswell, VA @ Servpro Pavilion*
08/01 – Irving, TX @ The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory*
08/02 – Austin, TX @ Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park*
09/05 – Toledo, OH @ Toledo Zoo Amphitheatre*
09/06 – Indianapolis, IN @ Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park*
09/12 – Wilmington, NC @ Live Oak Bank Pavilion*
09/13 – Raleigh, NC @ Red Hat Amphitheater*
09/19 – Boston, MA @ MGM Music Hall at Fenway*
09/20 – Gilford, NH @ BankNH Pavilion*
* with Billy Currington
