I’m The Problem is the fourth studio album from Country-Pop phenomenon Morgan Wallen. Released on May 16, the momentous 37-track project (1 hr 57 mins) shares a deep dive into eclectic thoughts, alcohol-induced feelings, cultural references and genre-blending sounds.
The Country Pop artist made his debut in 2014 on the sixth season of The Voice. Despite being eliminated in the playoff round, Wallen signed to Panacea Records and released his debut EP, Stand Alone, the following year. A decade later, he has now amassed 18 No. 1 singles on Country radio, 19 Billboard Music Awards and completed the highest-selling country tour. Billboard has called him “the biggest country star in the world”, and The New York Times declared he is “one of the biggest stars in pop, period”.
This new album has already accumulated three No. 1 singles on Country radio, with previously released tracks ‘Lies Lies Lies’, ‘Love Somebody’ and the album title track ‘I’m The Problem’. A love child of multiple collaborations, Wallen’s latest offering does not retreat away from the edge of bleakness. However, his approach to the melancholy often holds hands with sarcastic, tongue-in-cheek lyricism, providing lightness to what would otherwise be hauntingly dour content.
The title track blends nostalgic slide guitar, dirty trap-styled rhythm and biting lyrics that hit home hard – a realistic depiction of a toxic relationship. Despite what the name suggests, Wallen’s lyrics do not insinuate a first-person admission of guilt – “If I’m the problem, you might be the reason” – a cheeky nod perhaps to the public perception of himself and past actions.
Track 2, I Got Better, is driven by the interlaced rhythm of drums and guitar lines, reflecting the earnestness and passion of one trying to get something off their chest. A continuous staccato guitar layer, complimented by additional delicate synth and soaring lead guitar tones, guides listeners to the deliciously catchy chorus vocal hook.
“It’s not just a song to a girl, it could be a song to anything that’s holding you back. That’s why I like that song so much, for a long time I had a lot of things holding me back. I’ve finally said goodbye to a lot of those things, and I’m proud of the results that have come from doing that.” – Wallen
Wallen seems to enjoy using cultural references to support his lyrical content. ‘Superman’ is a prime example, as he adopts the Man of Steel narrative to connect directly with his son. The song’s humble, self-reflective nature highlights his fear of his child growing up to realise his father isn’t perfect.
Parallel to his cultural references, Wallen’s relationship with religion is evident throughout his songs. One such track is number 15 – Genesis. He pulls from the characters of Adam, Eve and the Serpent to suggest his own fall from grace with lines like: “swear it’s there in my blood, I was born to be lost,” and “he threw out the apple, said, “Let there be women and let there be whiskey”.
Continuing with his theological themes, the following track, ‘Revelation’, is a gentle reflection of a loss of faith. The threading together of poignant lyrics with simple, pulled-back instrumentation is both captivating and heartbreaking all at the same time.
“Wallen’s appeal is remarkable as it is fueled by his ability to connect to a crowd.” – Las Vegas Review Journal.
It is not hard to see why Wallen draws big crowds – his ability to talk and connect to diverse groups of people comes from his varied lyrical content and hybrid soundscape. His blend of country with other genres and influences is perhaps why his music transcends fan bases and charts. His persona as a ‘man of the people’ is reflected in his desire to work with others – drawing from 49 writers on ‘I’m The Problem’, and collaborating with friends and peers like Eric Church (‘Number 3 and Number 7′) and ERNEST (‘The Dealer’).
“We recorded around 50 songs for this album and ended up cutting 13. I feel like we accomplished what I had in mind, and a huge shoutout to my close collaborators on this too. They came in ready and fired up every single day, and they inspire me as much as anything else.” – Wallen.
Pop-icon Tate McRae joins Wallen on his fourth track. ‘What I Want’ is a seamless mix of both artists’ individual styles and an R&B-type rhythm. McRae’s vocals float above in the mix, complimenting Wallen’s gravelly low tones.
‘I Ain’t Coming Back’ features Post Malone and – including the Disco-nod rhythm – is one of the more pop-driven tracks off the album. The duo provide satirical comparisons to leaving a relationship with lines like: “But the night I said, “I’m leavin’,” I turned into Richard Petty” and “There’s a lot of reasons I ain’t Jesus, but the main one is that I ain’t comin’ back”.
Despite elements of humour, there is still a darkness to this album. This is evident in tracks like ‘Revelation’ and ‘Jack and Jill’. Wallen makes flowing between the heartfelt, the bolshie, and the comical an art form. I’m The Problem is strikingly raw and honest, interwoven with self-deprecating and cheeky points to his public persona.
Despite the sheer mass of tracks, there is a definitive overarching theme and cohesive direction to the project that draws in listeners and keeps their attention. Wallen’s ability to tell stories is the clear cause and effect of his popularity. His music does not pretend to be anything it isn’t, and he does not shy away from his past mistakes or darker thoughts. He writes songs for the average, everyday person, pulling from his life, desires and cultural archives to tell stories that listeners recognise and relate to.
“I hope people don’t think that we just threw 37 songs together like it was some haphazard thing. It really was a fully immersed project, and I hope people can tell that.” – Wallen.
