On May 6, 2022, almost exactly 10 years after the release of his debut album ("Up All Night" / 2012), Kip Moore announced on Twitter the completion of his fifth studio album: "Just officially finished record #5. Sealed. 13 songs none of you guys have heard. We ain’t messin round with this one. Cheers to all the loyal fans. Thank you. We do it for you."
But yet, fans and artist alike had to wait for another full year, until the new project titled "Damn Love" was officially released on April 28, 2023. The release date required the by now 43-year old songwriter and singer with the charismatic voice to take a break from his current Damn Love World Tour 2023 and travel from Australia and South Africa back to the US to do the respective media promotion, before returning to Europe in May.
Produced together with Jaren Johnston (of The Cadillac Three) the project comprises 13 songs. Except for the title cut, all of the remaining songs were written or co-written by Kip Moore. A fact, that is very dear to his heart. "[Eventually] I would come home at night from odd jobs and lay on the floor and I would study records", he told americansongwriter.com. "Where I used to just more listen, I would study Petty, I would study Bruce, I would study Willie Nelson. I really tried to figure out the structure of songs and how they put things together and rhyme schemes and really pay attention to melodies."
"Damn Love" unmistakeably combines those influences and has them signed with the distinctive signature of Kip Moore. That way the album does incorporate classic country themes about finding happiness in simple things, as can be heard on 'Some Things' and 'Mr. Simple'.
like we were meant to do.
’Cause there's a thin line with what the world tells you
and what's really true.
Why complicate it when it's so easy to do?
Just call me Mr. Simple.
And since the bar-theme about Friday night drinking after a weeks hard work features so prominently in countless country songs, it is also present here. On "Damn Love" it can be found on 3 songs, however each one of them with a different perspective.
The unmistakeably country sounding 'Kinda Bar' precisely describes such a place, where one can get release from the chores of the workday and enjoy some beer amongst all its patrons. A concept which Toby Keith has already made a hit out of in 2003 with his song 'I Love This Bar' (including the rather short-lived success of a restaurant chain by the same name).
As indicated in the title, 'Micky's Bar' also is about a bar. This time it is a place where one also comes across people that have been less fortunate in life. Such as Bobby, who was dreaming of a baseball career until an injury crushed his dreams. Or Jane, wo became a single mother at 16 and whose only bliss now is her son Jude.
She orders up a sky dry martini
and why she's alone is anyone's guess.
For Dan Couch, who wrote the song together with Kip Moore, the song is a reminiscence of 'Piano Man' by Billy Joel. "It’s such a beautiful song. You’re looking at these characters. They’re all drawn to the neon. A bar is a great place. A bar is a really lonely place sometimes too."
And 'Another Night in Knoxville' is the third scene from a bar. At least no contrary suggestion is given. This time it is a musician who notices this woman, every time he plays this place in Knoxville. But his interest is in vain, since she always comes for just a drink or two and leaves before he is done playing. However not without mouthing him a Goodbye before she does, casting nothing but doubts on him: Oh, you'll make sure I see when you walk in and when you leave ...
Together with Ashley McBryde he sings the optimistic love declaration 'One Heartbeat'. A collaboration that came out of a mutual tour, after she had heard the song written by Kip Moore firsthand.
The cautious approach in a new relationship is soundtracked by the exceptional 'Sometimes She Stays'. The song expresses the emotions not only lyrically but also musically, when it follows the slow burning process of uncertainty, hopefullness and eventual longing.
you'll wanna call her when her car pulls out.
You'll think twice about chasin' her down for one more kiss.
It'll be like God just painted your world
a whole new shade of whatever that girl's got goin' on,
and it sure ain't right when she's gone.
The undisputed highlight of the album however is the epic, 6-minutes long 'Guitar Slinger', which Kip Moore once again wrote with his longtime writing-partner Dan Couch. So much, that Andy Thorley of maximumvolumemusic.com rightfully raves about it: "But there’s also a song that ranks as probably the best of his career. “The Guitar Slinger” is sensational. This is the song that proves it’s real. This need to create “when your soul’s on fire and your heart feels faded.” Everything about it screams class. And there’s nothing remotely formulaic about it."
The song describes being torn between the passion for music and the longing for a regular life. One that allows space for a relationship, instead living a life as a touring musician that is opposite to everyone elses.
I guess it's my bedtime again.
And some old farmer fills his cup,
while I'm coming down from last night's buzz.
A gripping song about life in a parallel world, the glitz and glamor of which can only be seen from the outside. A familiar theme for each successful musician, as the number of songs dealing with the topic goes to proof.
"Damn Love" is a well rounded and many-sided project which even connects back to the 1980s, when listening to the pop/rock sound of 'Heart On Fire'. And no later than with this song, one cannot help but make the comparison to the Boss himself.
Or as James Daykin of entertainment-focus.com puts it in his piece on the new album: "Back in 1984 Bruce Springsteen released his epic, anthemic, arena-based album ‘Born to Run’ but three years later he followed it up with the altogether more restrained, introspective ‘Tunnel of Love’ album. ‘Damn Love’ is Moore’s ‘Tunnel of Love’ moment. It is reflective project and aside from the odd track, like the title track, it is an altogether more introspective album built for quiet moments and more intimate performances."
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