Album Review: "Dreamsicle" - Maren Morris

Karlee Skipper
3 days ago
8 min read

Dreamsicle by Maren Morris via marenmorris.com

Maren Morris took the country music scene by storm in 2016 when she released her hit album, Hero. Since then, she has released music that is authentically hers, not sticking to one genre or subject matter. Her latest album, Dreamsicle, marks her latest venture. The project is her first non-country album, filed under the pop genre. However, the flawless album maintains Morris’s iconic soulful sound with pop, country, rock, and folk influences. Throughout the fourteen songs, she shares meaningful stories of love, heartbreak, religious trauma, and everything in between.

Track List

lemonade

people still show up

cry in the car

cut! featuring Julia Michaels

bed no breakfast

dreamsicle

i hope i never fall in love

too good

push me over

because, of course

grand bouquet

this is how a woman leaves

carry me through

holy smoke

lemonade

Morris kicks off the album with a sass-filled pop track that is the epitome of the singer. It has the clever lyricism, that bouncy soundscape, and powerful vocalizing that Morris has become known for. The song explores the ending of a relationship where she contemplates how she will make lemonade out of their bitter lemon. Her muse has caused her so many problems that she can no longer pretend what they are – a waste of time and a waste of lime. Her cheeky storytelling is what initially drew me into the artist, and it is refreshing to know that despite the genre change, she is still the Maren Morris we know and love.

people still show up

“people still show up” is a bittersweet, soulful ballad that finds light within the dark. Morris shares that no matter how scary the world is – and we all know how bad this year has been – being surrounded by the right people can sometimes be all you need. Morris has been involved in controversy in the music world, specifically within the country music industry, when she stood up for the transgender community. The song seems to reference this in the second chorus when she sings, “They’re gonna try and say, “you really crossed the line // you should’ve shut your mouth and smiled // ‘cause now you finally went and said too much” // But it was just enough // ‘Cause people still show up.” During the thick of this issue, tabloids and country music fans claimed Morris’s career was over. However, the people who mattered stood behind her, and the pop genre welcomed her with open arms. Morris is a walking example that the right people really do show up when you need them.

cry in the car

The third track is a heartbreaking yet utterly relatable song. Morris sings her heart out to a former lover, whom she sees moving on from them like it’s nothing. They are falling in love with someone new at the bar they used to frequent and recycling their old inside jokes with new people. Morris will never let them, or anyone, see her cry. So, she hides in her car with tinted windows and releases her emotions there. Despite the devastating lyrics, the song is a fun bop that gets the listener out of their chair and wanting to dance along. Stripped down to the bare bones, “cry in the car” would be a gut-wrenching song that would rip the listener to pieces.

cut! featuring Julia Michaels

“cut! was initially released as the lead single from Morris’s 2024 EP, Intermission. This project served as a perfect transition from her country to the pop era. The song is about trying to hold yourself together in the hard times and wanting to keep others from seeing you at your breaking point. The poignant track describes a feeling many of us all feel so well – wanting to scream, cut like a director of a movie. But instead, it is to pause the chaos in your life and take the moment to cry your eyes out. She wants an intermission in life. But then again, don’t we all?

bed no breakfast

“bed no breakfast” is a cheeky track about enjoying intimate time with a new partner but desiring personal time afterward. Morris sings to her muse that while she does want them to call her again, and she had a great time, her house is a “bed no breakfast” – a play on the term “Bed and Breakfast.” The song maintains the sultry vibe that many of the songs on Dreamsicle and previous Morris albums contain. With her sultry voice, “bed no breakfast” is the perfect “avoidant, but sexy anthem.”

dreamsicle

The title track is a whimsical song that beautifully encompasses the dreamy atmosphere that Morris is singing about. The lovely acoustic ballad lulls the listener into the wonderful soundscape as she sings about living in the moment and loving the life you were given. Morris has had a rollercoaster of a life the past few years, so it is no surprise that she wants to step back and express gratitude for the good in her life. It is an important reminder that good can always be found in the bad.

i hope i never fall in love

“i hope I never fall in love” is another song originally released on Intermission. The song has the singer’s iconic tongue-in-cheek lyricism, reminding me of some of my favorite tracks from her album Hero, like “Rich” and “Drunk Girls Don’t Cry.” In the first line, Morris sings: “Take another page from my heroes’ book.” This line may be Morris directly hinting at the previous album, signifying the last project released before meeting her ex-husband. She was cynical then, and she is cynical now. This direct call back and the iconic sass is what makes “i hope I never fall in love” my favorite track on Dreamsicle.

too good

In “too good,” Morris expresses her resentment and anger toward her ex through sharp and fierce lyrics. She confesses that the people who love her view her as “too good to leave” but “too bored to stay.” She admits she let this go on for too long, and she should have let this relationship end sooner than it did. She ends the chorus with the lyric: “I was always too good for your ass anyway.” However, the most savage line is at the end of the bridge when she proclaims: “But, bitch, you still owe me rent!” She exposes her former partner for the mooch that they are and lays it out on the table. Morris does not ever shy away from a fight, and when she has something to say, she will say it – Something her fans have loved and respected about her since her early days.

push me over

“push me over” is a catchy anthem that I can perfectly envision being played live. Morris would have orange lighting and enthusiastic crowd work that would effortlessly boost the mood of the audience. The song is about the exciting beginning of a relationship and the sexual tension that goes along with it. She wants them to push her over into the bed and explore this new feeling. The track was initially released on her 2024 EP, Intermission, and is her first song that references her bisexuality.

because, of course

“because, of course” is the sister song to “people still show up.” Instead of a general statement that people will show up for those they love, “because, of course” represents Morris’s own dedication to be there for her muse. She tells them that, no matter what, she will be the floor they land on, the chords in the song they play, and the wind beneath their wings. Nothing in this world will keep her from uplifting her subject. It is a powerful anthem that is a testament to Morris’s fierce loyalty and unconditional love. The song made its debut on the EP, Intermission.

grand bouquet

“grand bouquet” is a self-reflective track about taking things for granted in relationships. The song has a soft, acoustic soundscape that is very reminiscent of Kacey Musgraves. The light guitar and soothing bass guide the listener through the introspective song. Morris apologizes to her lover for waiting for a “grand bouquet,” wishing for this huge gesture. But the whole time, they were giving her a flower every day – a small, meaningful gift regularly. From now on, she will appreciate them for the small acts of kindness and pray they will forgive her. It is a sweet sentiment that represents Morris’s past trauma and desire to move forward.

this is how a woman leaves

“this is how a woman leaves” is the last track on dreamsicle that was originally released on Intermission. The song is a devastatingly vulnerable track about breaking free from an unhealthy relationship. Morris declares the universal truth that when a woman decides to leave, her decision has been made up for a while, and there is no turning back. It is an empowering anthem about reclaiming your independence and joy.

carry me through

“carry me through” contains Morris’s iconic R&B sound paired with her sultry voice. The soundscape emulates gospel music, something Morris has utilized throughout her career (her first hit single was “My Church”). This is paired with religious lyrics such as “preaching to a choir of one” and “I haven’t heard a hallelujah.” However, instead of singing to a higher power, Morris sings to herself. She knows life can be hard, but she is the one who has the strength to push through. The track empowers listeners as they experience one of the hardest years of the modern era, encouraging them to hold on and believe in themselves.

holy smoke

Morris continues with the religious theme in “holy smoke.” The song explores religious trauma and navigating a world full of holier-than-thou Christians. As a spiritual woman who believes in God and Jesus, but lost faith in the Church, “holy smoke” impacts me differently than most. “But the world got less depressing when I finally left the house // Wasn’t locked out of heaven, I just had to look around.” Morris's joy came after leaving the church and focusing on the beauty in the world around her. Christianity has been skewed along the way to fit an aggressive, power-hungry agenda. It is no longer about loving thy neighbors, but controlling them. Morris intends to remind those people that they don’t actually know what happens after death, and trying to control others based on their personal belief is a waste of time – because in the end, we are all going up in holy smoke.

Dreamsicle by Maren Morris captivates the audience from the first note and keeps their attention until the end. Dreamsicle showcases a new, more mature side of Morris. As the first album since her divorce and coming out as bisexual, the singer shares glimpses into the new chapter of her life while upholding her privacy. Every track consists of lyrics that perfectly complement her sultry voice and poetic lyrics – characteristics that made long-time fans fall in love with the singer. Morris will be going on tour to promote the album, so check out her website to see if she will be coming to a city near you and follow her on all social media!

Dreamsicle Tour via marenmorris.com

Written By Karlee Skipper