Morgan Wade: Crossing State Lines

One of Nashville’s fastest-rising and most critically acclaimed young stars, Morgan Wade released her much-anticipated sophomore album, Psychopath, Aug. 25, 2023, via Sony Music Nashville. Possessed with a raw and unflinching voice anchored by a perfect tinge of twang; the rare ability to pen honest portraits of some of life’s most precious and painful and unpredictable moments; and an onstage vulnerability that so seamlessly breaks down the wall between fan and artist, Wade has quickly made her mark on the country music scene — and the music world at large. Her stunning 2021 debut album, Reckless, was hailed as a critical triumph; it topped Rolling Stone’s Best Country and Americana Albums of 2021, with New York Times noting Wade “sounds like she’s singing from the depths of history.” In 2022, Wade was nominated as the Emerging Act of the Year at the Americana Music Honors & Awards; in 2023, Wade was nominated for New Female Artist of the Year by the Academy of Country Music and performed at major-market festivals including Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits.

While Reckless, and particularly its momentous lead single “Wilder Days,” busted down the doors and introduced Wade to a wider listenership, Psychopath is an astounding follow-up statement: the 13-track LP was crafted with the help of some of Nashville’s most extraordinary musical talents, from A-list songwriters (Julia Michaels, Natalie Hemby, Liz Rose, Lori McKenna) to studio musicians as well as Wade’s longtime producer Sadler Vaden. Most excitingly, Psychopath finds Wade peeling back layers of her psyche like never before. “I realized the more authentic you are and the more you pour yourself into your songs, and most importantly if you’re being honest, people will connect to that,” Wade says. “I want every song to get the credit it deserves.”