Rising country star Kip Moore enjoyed a breakthrough with his 2012 debut album Up All Night. Launching off the back of his number 1 single Somethin’ ‘Bout a Truck, the album peaked at number 3 on the US Country Chart and number 6 on the Billboard 200. Since the release of the album Kip has been touring relentlessly in support of the record averaging around 200 live shows a year. Earlier this year Kip re-released the album in the UK ahead of his C2C: Country to Country performance and now he’s released his much-anticipated second album Wild Ones.
The first single from the album was I’m to Blame, which is currently climbing up the Country Charts in the US. Driven by a banjo riff the song is a progression for Kip that maintains the rocky edge that he established on his debut record. The song is a fair indication of what to expect from Wild Ones and the record continues to explore the rock/country hybrid of Up All Night. Wild Ones opens with the title track, a slow-building beat-driven track that pushes Kip’s distinctive voice to the fore.
Three of the tracks included on the album were originally released as live songs on the Deluxe Edition of Up All Night. Come and Get It, Lipstick and Heart’s Desire get the studio treatment for Wild Ones. Come and Get It is the standout of the bunch with its escalating urgency and Kip’s raspy growl on the chorus sending chills down your spine. Heart’s Desire is slightly new ground for Kip taking a more stripped-down approach and packing a chorus that’s destined to be chanted by fans at his live shows.
Elsewhere on the record Kip takes a soulful detour on the highlight Magic, embraces more traditional country sounds on That’s Alright With Me, and gets personal on the emotive closing track Comeback Kid. That Was Us sticks out as a potential future single and is one of the most radio-friendly tracks included on Wild Ones.
Wild Ones is another solid effort from Kip. Musically and vocally the album is a strong effort but we would level the same criticism at the record as we did Up All Night; there’s just not enough variety on here. Kip is such a gifted writer and singer but he doesn’t offer the same rich variety of sounds as some of his contemporaries. Wild Ones is an album that will take a few listens to really sink your teeth into but it should do well enough to ensure a third album follows in the not too distant future.
