John Moreland will release his fourth solo album Big Bad Luv on May 5th via 4AD. Big Bad Luv marks a change in Moreland’s sound and outlook on life. With lyrics that are as intense and unfiltered as on his earlier work, Moreland delves into finding peace within. He also branches out sonically on the new album, which is injected with a heavier dose of rock ‘n’ roll in comparison to the tone of his previous recordings.
In early 2016, Moreland made his national television debut with an unprecedented booking on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Check below to watch Moreland’s compelling performance in which he received an enthusiastic and rare late-night standing ovation.
Moreland’s 2015 release High On Tulsa Heat was embraced by the press, receiving accolades from outlets including NPR Music, Pitchfork, Rolling Stone Country and American Songwriter who wrote “Lines like that ought to make even the surliest barflies put down their drinks and listen. And if they don’t feel it, it’s time to call a cab. Or rehab.” Moreland capped off his banner year with a nomination for Emerging Artist Of The Year from the Americana Music Association.
The beauty in John Moreland’s writing is his ability to make the listener feel, and according to Moreland, he’s used his songwriting as a way to exorcise negative feelings and move on. His therapy is the listeners gain, as Big Bad Luv has an uplifting yet still emotionally dark tone. “Ain’t We Gold” speaks to reveling in your own little piece of happiness despite what’s going on in the outside world, and the contemplative “It Don’t Suit Me (Like Before)” embodies Moreland’s change in attitude.
Big Bad Luv was recorded at Fellowship Fall Sound in Little Rock, AR (a step up from his parent’s house) produced by Moreland and mixed by Tchad Blake (The Black Keys, Tom Waits, Sheryl Crow). The brutal honesty of John Moreland’s singing and songwriting has touched listeners across the country. He silences rooms from dive bars to more recently the historic Ryman Auditorium stage. The simple and eloquent way that he’s able to speak about life rings as true as ever.
