Kip Moore: ‘Underground’ EP Review

Over the past few years, Kip Moore has become a household name. He’s toured with artists like Brantley Gilbert, Miranda Lambert, and Lady Antebellum among others. He’s also mastered his craft with a unique sound and incredible songwriting that have resulted in great success over the years. Fans have been waiting for new music since Kip’s fantastic ‘Wild Ones‘ album in 2015 and on Friday, October 28th, Kip will release his ‘Underground‘ EP. He says of the project, “The problem I often face is leaving behind some songs, because I never stop writing,” and continued by saying “I write so many that some never see the light of day.  I’ve been working on a full record, which looks to be coming out in late spring, but everywhere we go the fans keep asking for the recordings of these underground songs that they’ve been hearing for the last few years.  They’re a passionate fan base so I decided to ask my label if I could record these songs live and give them the raw recordings.  These songs are completely separate from the new record I’ve been making, I simply made this EP for the true fans.” New England Country Music was given an advanced listed of the EP, check out our review of the project below and get yourself a copy of ‘Underground.

1.) ‘All Time Low’ – Written by Kip Moore, Westin Davis and Luke Dick.
Impression: Kip packs the punch in the first song of the EP. The high powered electrics in the beginning of the song and the drums are truly heartbeat of this track. ‘All Time Low’ is your breakup song but Kip is resorting to drinks, and probably a few too many of them, to get over the pain and to the point where he’s at an ‘All Time Low.’ He sees everyone else around him as happy and he’s at rock bottom. His raspy voice is really highlighted with this high octane rockin’ song!
Favorite Lyrics: Well there ain’t enough whiskey in the cellar, ain’t enough of high in this smoke. Ain’t enough rungs in the ladder to get me up out of this hole…

2.) ‘My Kind’ – Written by Kip Moore, Erik Dylan and Justin Weaver.
Impression: This track is our favorite on the album as it has a unique instrumental sound that fans have come to love about Kip’s songs. The tempo and beat will have you tapping you toe and nodding your head along to the song. From a lyrics perspective, ‘My Kind’ acknowledges that there’s a tendency to get into a little bit of trouble when trouble comes looking for them. In this track, Kip and his friends just want to have a drink and when someone is trying to pick a fight with them, they will give the fight right back.
Favorite Lyrics: So there ain’t no need to get a little rowdy. Settle down, we’ll have a good time. I’ll make you a promise, if you’re looking for trouble to find, you’re gonna get it from me and my kind…

3.) ‘Midnight Slow Dance’ (Live) – Written by Kip Moore, Mike Elizondo and Dan Couch.
Impression: ‘Midnight Slow Dance’ is the first of three tracks recorded live in the studio. And we really love the organic sound of this and the other two live tracks on the EP! It’s a really uptempo song but Kip’s smooth lyrics really compliment the beat of the song. And the song is really relatable. Two people see each other in a bar late at night and from there it’s the ‘Midnight Slow Dance.’ From the approach to the introduction and what can come after that… You know what we’re talking about! There’s a lot of passion in this song both in the lyrics and Kip’s performance and will be a fan favorite.
Favorite Lyrics: Set this room on fire with a long red kiss. Wanna take you in my arms. Wrap you in romance…

4.) ‘Separate Ways’ (Live) – Written by Kip Moore, Jordyn Mallory and Dan Couch.
Impression: The electric in the opening chords give off an almost-Green Day-sound but then comes a beat that has a real tropical-island vibe to it. The juxtaposition of the two sounds is really sonically compelling. ‘Separate Ways’ is all about love lost and acting that everything is all okay when it’s really not. Definitely a cool song.
Favorite Lyrics: When the lights go down, I’ll find me a hometown girl. Some brown eyed honey who thinks she wants to give me a whirl. It’ll go too far and she’s probably gonna call me baby. But she’ll never be you and she damn sure ain’t my baby…

5.) ‘My Baby’s Gone’ (Live) – Written by Kip Moore, William Rinehart and Nathaniel Rinehart.
Impression: This song is the epitome of a Kip Moore song. We can see Kip grooving on stage as he sings this track in his live shows. It’s not uptempo whatsoever. ‘My Baby’s Gone’ is really laid-back and slow but that sound allows Kip’s vocals to really showcase themselves in this unfiltered element. The song describes the feelings that often come after a tough break up.
Favorite Lyrics: Red sun setting through the dark green pines. Counting these shadows on the same white lines as I turn the radio up. Every single song that it wants to play, never knew Skynyrd make you hurt this way, in a song, but Tuesday’s gone…

Back in 2011, Kip Moore released his smash-hit, ‘Somethin’ Bout A Truck.’ That song was certified double-Platinum by the RIAA and since then he has released some incredible music on both his ‘Up All Night‘ (2012) and ‘Wild Ones‘ (2015) albums. But for some reason, Kip’s music, as of lately, hasn’t experienced the radio success that his earlier songs like ‘Beer Money,’ ‘Hey Pretty Girl,’ and the aforementioned ‘Somethin’ Bout A Truck’ did. But that hasn’t Kip from doing what he does best and that’s being himself and making his music. It’s never been about radio play for Kip and it probably never will be. ‘Wild Ones‘ was one of our favorite albums of 2015 and the quality of music has continued with the ‘Underground‘ EP. The songs on this EP are the exact reason why Kip Moore is one of our favorite artists in the genre and the reason why fans continue to come out and see him play and why they tune into his music. If these are tracks that won’t be making the upcoming album, we can’t wait to hear what the album has in store as the bar has been set extremely high. Thank you, Kip, for bringing these songs out from ‘Underground’ and into the light and ears of your fans!

You can purchase Kip Moore’s ‘Underground‘ EP on iTunes here.