Country star Morgan Wallen has officially released his long-awaited 37-track album, “I’m the Problem.” The “Whiskey in Reverse” singer has been teasing the album for months, with fans eager to hear the new material he’s been working on. The release follows his 2023 third studio album, “One Thing at a Time.”
This time around, Wallen experiments with multiple genres. While country remains the foundation, the singer also dives into elements of Southern rock and other musical styles, including pop and trap. Wallen is credited with writing 22 of the tracks and collaborated with a team that includes producer Joey Moi, Jacob Durrett, and Charlie Handsome. The album also features appearances from Post Malone, Eric Church, ERNEST, HARDY, and Tate McRae.
‘What I Want’ Ft. Tate McRae
The project is expected to be another major hit, having already broken several records thanks to its advance singles, including the title track “I’m the Problem,” “Love Somebody,” “Just in Case,” “I Ain’t Coming Back,” and “Lies, Lies, Lies.” A day before the official release, fans got a sneak peek of his duet with McRae after it leaked online, following a special listening party at Wallen’s bar in Nashville, Tennessee.
Lyrically, the album explores heartbreak, Southern soul, and personal identity. The title track strips away bravado and places the blame on himself, rather than others. As Kacey Musgraves might say, it’s a slow burn with a raw, acoustic touch.
Meanwhile, “20 Cigarettes” cleverly uses the image of each cigarette as a timestamp in a doomed, hazy romance that plays out over the course of one night. It’s a vivid visualization that balances vulnerability with intensity. He sings, “With 13 cigarettes/ And I lit me one/ With the windows cracked/ In my old half-ton/ Singin’ Take Me Home/ On them country roads/ So I turned off on one/ Then next thing you know.”
’20 Cigarettes’
“Kick Myself” is one of Wallen’s most lyrically personal tracks, reflecting on letting go of bad habits, nights out on Nashville’s Broadway, and alcohol, while confessing that he still carries a hidden weight. The chorus lands with emotional force.
But, “Superman” stands out as the album’s most vulnerable moment of it all. Written as a heartfelt message to his son, the track expresses Wallen’s struggle to reconcile pride, guilt, and fatherly love. Though he has no cape, he assures his son he can still give him everything that matters, especially his love.
Comments
LISTEN: Morgan Wallen Drops 37-Track Album ‘I’m the Problem’ ft. Post Malone & Tate McRae