Maren Morris Sets the Record Straight: ‘I’ve Not Left Country Music’

Maren Morris is clearing the air and letting fans know that contrary to popular belief, she is NOT leaving country music. 

In recent months, the songstress has admitted to rethinking her place in the genre after finding herself flooded by what she deemed to be “clickbait” headlines that resulted in her being open about her beliefs and calling out the actions of artists like Morgan Wallen and Jason Aldean. She admitted to feeling “very distanced” from the genre while discussing the shift in her career in an interview with Los Angeles Times.

However, some may be happy to hear that Morris will not be completely stepping away from her place in country music. While appearing on Wednesday’s episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, the “Circles Around This Town” singer took a question from a fan who prompted her to further clarify what she sees for the future of her career.

“I would just clarify I’ve not left country music — that was the headline,” Morris stated before explaining that she is not leaving behind the genre itself. Instead, she is eliminating the “toxic parts” and taking the “good parts” with her. 

Country Music Will Always Have An Impact On Her Career

She went on to discuss her sound, claiming that while she has always been one to stray away from putting labels on her music, her Texas roots will always have an impact on the way she writes and performs. 

“I’m from Texas, I grew up on all that music, so the way I write, the way I sing, that’s what comes out — whatever genre I’m doing or feature I’m doing,” she continued. “I just make music.”

Fans have already started to see the product of Morris’ new chapter through her latest set of releases, “The Tree,” and “Get The Hell Out Of Here.” These tunes dropped as part of a new two-song project, titled The Bridge, which included accompanying music videos that also speak heavily to her stance on the current state of country music.

“These two songs are incredibly key to my next step because they express a very righteously angry and liberating phase of my life these last couple of years, but also how my navigation is finally pointing towards the future, whatever that may be or sound like,” Morris previously shared in a statement. “Honoring where I’ve been and what I’ve achieved in country music, but also freely moving forward.”

“The Bridge” Is Just A Taste Of What’s Coming

During her time on the talk show with Andy Cohen, it became clear that this is just a small taste of what’s to come. Morris revealed that she has once again been working with Grammy-winning producer Jack Antonoff to create new music. 

“He’s amazing,” she said of her frequent collaborator Antonoff. “We’ve been working on and off all year. We’re working with other people, too, so I’m kind of in writing mode.”

Maren Morris shared another sneak peek into the genre-bending sounds that can fans can expect to hear on her forthcoming album while catching up with Katie & Company’s Katie Neal at Audacy’s Leading Ladies. 

“I mean, it’s thus far pretty confessional and I mean, I feel like it’s a rock realm it’s going into,” Morris said. “I don’t quite know what it is yet. They’re just demos, so I kind of find out when I get in the studio. But yeah, it’s super confessional.”

“I think my last record was super internal and organic, feeling tons of guitars, steel guitar. It felt like very organic country. And this one is going in a more rock direction,” she continued. “I don’t know. It’s really fun. I’m excited because it’s just all my influences are getting barfed out on this one.”

On Tour

As part of this new chapter, Maren Morris is taking her music on the road in what she calls “The Bridge Shows.” She began this run on monthly headlining gigs in Chicago, IL on October 5, followed by New York City on November 6. 

Next up, Morris will be taking things West as she heads to The Troubadour on December 5.