I really should read JMK's pre-read stuff pre-listening, as I'd have understood why this voice sounded so familiar for nearly 40 minutes. Zedd's "The Middle" is in the class of decent EDM songs raised up by a strong feature (see: Chainsmokers/Halsey, Clean Bandit / Anne-Marie, Guetta/Sia).
I won't be the first to note Morris doesn't sound "country" in "The Middle," not really, but then after you hear her in a country setting, it's so obvious, it's hard to hear it the way before (like any good optical illusion that you can't unsee). In a country setting, her timbre finds a comfortable home.
The album, thematically, plays with two country classics of "love and relationship" songs ("Nervous," "Furthest Thing") and "what the hell am I doing here" songs ("Humble Quest," "Circles Around"), with some crossover ("Background Music," "Detour"). A Humble Quest itself is an interesting idea. Can you quest for humility, or are you causing your own problem (see: try to relax, try to be authentic, try to not cast a shadow)?
Sonically, most of the tracks fit into the country-pop space ("Nervous" sticks as a bit heavier) that exists primarily to allow Morris' stellar voice to carry the show. Her melodies are more the ear worms than any particular lyric or rhythm. In some ways it reminds me of last week's Costa: another genre not in my exact wheelhouse, but with seeming complete competence in their arena. Where Morris gets points is being contemporary, and thus, by default, feels of-the-times. The whole album may not be terribly adventurous, but it's still a stretch along an axis Morris has good reason to stretch along. Better than Europop DJ singles anyway.
P.S. It looks like the hotline 1-276-63-QUEST has been taken over by an answering machine.
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