After failing to truly get off the ground with any of his previous three singles - "I'm to Blame" doing the best, barely scraping out a top-20 peak - Kip Moore has released his best effort to-date to radio, with the radio-friendly ballad "Running For You".
On an album full of arena-rock anthems, "Running For You" is a change of pace on the project, displaying a more tender, emotional side of Moore. With it's light, relatively-country production, Kip is able to take total control of the song and perfectly display his superb voice. There are few artists who are able to throw themselves into a lyric like Moore, and that is on full display on this record.
Lyrically, "Running For You" is a masterpiece, with it's heart-felt and relatable sentiment of "we may be finished, but I'll be here if you need be" that is a refreshing change of pace on mainstream country radio. It's both parts heartbreaking and uplifting, a blend that is seldom heard in country music, and is done to perfection here. All that said, what "Running For You" most has going for it, is it's melody. Perfectly structured and undeniably accessible, it is near perfection, and is what makes the record one that country radio - in theory - should have no problems spinning.
Kip Moore gets better and better with each single release it seems, and this one is no exception. "Running For You" is the whole package, and arguably the best thing you'll hear on mainstream radio all year.
Grade: A+
Listen: "Running For You"
By Markus Meyer
On an album full of arena-rock anthems, "Running For You" is a change of pace on the project, displaying a more tender, emotional side of Moore. With it's light, relatively-country production, Kip is able to take total control of the song and perfectly display his superb voice. There are few artists who are able to throw themselves into a lyric like Moore, and that is on full display on this record.
Lyrically, "Running For You" is a masterpiece, with it's heart-felt and relatable sentiment of "we may be finished, but I'll be here if you need be" that is a refreshing change of pace on mainstream country radio. It's both parts heartbreaking and uplifting, a blend that is seldom heard in country music, and is done to perfection here. All that said, what "Running For You" most has going for it, is it's melody. Perfectly structured and undeniably accessible, it is near perfection, and is what makes the record one that country radio - in theory - should have no problems spinning.
Kip Moore gets better and better with each single release it seems, and this one is no exception. "Running For You" is the whole package, and arguably the best thing you'll hear on mainstream radio all year.
Grade: A+
Listen: "Running For You"
By Markus Meyer
