Nashville based indie pop artist Morgan Isaac Karr, better known by his nom de plume morgxn, is on tour for his Meridian [extended edition LP], which was recently released. Accolades follow.<\/p>\n
This is his second major project since he came into the scene in 2016 with a debut single \u201dLove You With The Lights On.\u201d His catchy heart wrenching hooks, huge vocal performances and messages of hope and despair should have listeners reflecting on on their lives.<\/p>\n
Meridian, as morgxn says, is \u201cmore about the journey than the destination.\u201d Listeners can catch a glimpse of his journey as he takes them through his heartbreak in \u201cHOW DO YOU HOLD WHAT HURTS,\u201d through his rollercoaster of emotions in songs like \u201cMOOD SWING\u201d and \u201cLOSING MYSELF\u201d and through his journey to heal his scars in songs like \u201cPUMP THE BREAK\u201d and \u201cPORCELAIN.\u201d<\/p>\n
He expresses himself without many lyrics and detail, but his vocal performance and instrumental choices allow his emotion to be felt nevertheless.<\/p>\n
The latest creatation is at its strongest when the instrumental and vocals work together. The highlights for me were \u201cWONDER,\u201d \u201cPUMP THE BREAK,\u201d \u201cPORCELAIN,\u201d \u201cREFRAME,\u201d \u201cHOW DO YOU HOLD WHAT HURTS,\u201d and \u201cTHE WAY THAT IT WAS.\u201d What sets these songs apart is their catchiness, clever lyricism and great vocal performances. However, there are songs with the instrumental failing to match with vocals and the lyrics.<\/p>\n
Songs like \u201cLOSING MYSELF\u201d and \u201cBURDEN\u201d feel like their messages get lost within their uncharacteristically upbeat instrumentals. Along with that, the last song in the project, if one doesn\u2019t count the \u201cWONDER\u201d reimaginations, \u201cIF I KNEW YOU IN A PAST LIFE\u201d felt out of place and repetitive. Had the project ended with \u201cTHE WAY THAT IT WAS,\u201d it would\u2019ve been more powerful and concise.<\/p>\n
Overall, this project is another achievement for morgxn; there are very strong songs in Meridian full of emotion and a hopeful hopelessness that strengthens their authenticity. One can really feel some of the lines in the hooks to these songs and they really come through because of his passionate delivery.<\/p>\n
I would rate this project a 7\/10, while some of the highs will have you singing the hook all day. The lack of lyrical complexity, the odd instrumental picks at times and the lows of the project result in a grade lower 10\/10. Though some might disagree.<\/p>\n
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Reviewer Luis De Leon can be reached at luis.deleon01@myhunter.cuny.edu<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n