Wikipedia

Intermission (Maren Morris EP)

Intermission is the fifth extended play (EP) by American singer-songwriter Maren Morris. It was released on August 2, 2024, by Columbia Records.[3] The EP consists of five tracks, all co-written by Morris. Evan Blair produced three out of the five tracks. She also collaborated with producers Joel Little, and Naomi McPherson.[4][5]

Intermission
EP by
Maren Morris
ReleasedAugust 2, 2024 (2024-08-02)
GenrePop
Length14:59
LabelColumbia
Producer
Maren Morris chronology
The Bridge
(2023) 		Intermission
(2024)
Singles from Intermission
  1. "Cut! (featuring Julia Michaels)"
    Released: June 21, 2024[1]
  2. "I Hope I Never Fall In Love"
    Released: July 12, 2024[2]

Intermission was preceded by the singles "Cut!" featuring guest vocals from Julia Michaels,[6] and "I Hope I Never Fall In Love".[7] It marks Morris first project to be labeled as Pop, after her departure from the industry of Country Music, which she discussed on her previous extended play, The Bridge (2023).[8][9]

Background and composition

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Morris described the project as new start on her music career and personal life, saying: “It’s a break in the act, and for me, it’s definitely an act break and new chapter of my life, and I’m so ready to see what’s on the other page."[10] As well, revealing that “It wasn’t easy to write, because I’m going through a lot, and this is the diary of that." She concluded that the EP "It’s just about my feelings".”[11]

According to Morris, the lead single and opening track “cut!" is about letting herself "fall apart", after pretending things are fine.[12] "I Hope I Never Fall In Love" retails the singer hopes of remaining single after the end of a long relantionship. Critics speculated that the song is about her feelings post-divorce from country singer-songwriter Ryan Hurd.[13] On "push me out" she sings about exploring her sexuality.[14] Meanwhile "Because, Of Course" is a love song to his son[15] and "This Is How a Woman Leaves" details her feelings on her split with her former husband.[16]

Promotion

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To promote the extended play, two singles were released beforehand. "Cut!" served as the lead single, and features guest vocals from American singer-songwriter Julia Michaels.[17] It marks their second collaboration after previously working together as co-writters on Morris 2022 single, "Circles Around This Town".[18]

"Cut!" was released on June 21, with an official lyrics video.[19][20] "I Hope I Never Fall In Love" was released as the second single of the extended play on July 12.[21][22][23]

Alongside the EP release, lyrics videos for the remaining three songs were released on Morris' YouTube channel.[24] She eventually continued promoting the project on her RSVP Redux Tour.[25][26]

Reception

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Intermission received generally favorable reviews from music critics.

Justin Cober-Lake from Spectrum Culture described Intermission as "Morris takes a break for some catharsis, but also reveals the power yet to come. It’s a short release set at a fairly steady pitch, but it likely indicates a pivotal moment in the star’s story."[27] He also praised the closing track "This Is How a Woman Leaves", as it showcase Morris "best vocal performance".[27]

Track listing

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Intermission track listing
No.TitleLyricsProducer(s)Length
1."Cut!" (featuring Julia Michaels)
Joel Little2:08
2."I Hope I Never Fall In Love"
Evan Blair3:37
3."Push Me Over"
Naomi McPherson3:37
4."Because, Of Course"
Blair2:47
5."This Is How a Woman Leaves"
Blair2:49
Total length:14:59

Personnel

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Musicians

  • Maren Morris — vocals (all tracks)
  • Joel Little — programming, keyboards, percussion, synthesizer (1)
  • Julia Michaels — background vocals, lead vocals (1)
  • Evan Blair — bass, guitar (2, 4, 5)
  • Steven Wolf — drums (2, 4, 5)
  • Naomi McPherson — guitar, programming, keyboards (3)
  • Josette Maskin — guitar (3)
  • Geo Botelho — bass guitar (3)
  • Katie Gavin — background vocals (3)
  • Rob Moose — strings (5)
  • Madi Diaz — background vocals (5)

Technical

  • Joel Little — engineer (track 1)
  • Denis Kosiak — engineer (1)
  • Adam Burt — assistant engineer (1)
  • Katie Harvey — assistant engineer (1)
  • Nate Mingo — assistant engineer (1, 2)
  • Dale Becker — mastering engineer (all tracks)
  • Alex Ghenea — mixing engineer (all tracks)
  • Kegn Venegas — assistant engineer (2)
  • Jimmy Robbins — engineer, vocal producer (3)
  • Naomi McPherson — assistant engineer (3)
  • Geo Botelho — assistant engineer (3)
  • Evan Blair — vocal recording engineer (2, 4, 5)

Release history

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Release dates and formats for "Intermission"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various August 2, 2024
[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Maren Morris Gives Herself 'Permission to Fall Apart' on Raw New Song 'Cut!' with Julia Michaels".
  2. ^ "Maren Morris Says 'I Hope I Never Fall in Love' on New Song, Inspired by the 'Afterglow of a S---show'".
  3. ^ a b Intermission - EP by Maren Morris on Apple Music, August 2, 2024, retrieved September 8, 2024
  4. ^ Nicholson, Jessica (June 20, 2024). "Maren Morris Is Taking an 'Intermission' With New 5-Song Project Coming Soon". Billboard. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  5. ^ Aniftos, Rania (August 2, 2024). "Maren Morris Unveils 'Intermission' EP: Stream It Now". Billboard. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  6. ^ "Maren Morris & Julia Michaels Share New Single "Cut!": Listen". Stereogum. June 21, 2024. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  7. ^ Blistein, Jon (July 12, 2024). "Maren Morris Isn't Making That Mistake Again on New Song 'I Hope I Never Fall in Love'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  8. ^ Mendez, Chris Malone. "Maren Morris Takes A Personal 'Intermission' With Her New EP". Forbes. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  9. ^ Grow, Kory (September 15, 2023). "Maren Morris Packs Her Bags on Kiss-Off EP 'The Bridge'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  10. ^ @marenmorris, Maren Morris (July 29, 2024). "Intermission is yours this friday 💕". Instagram. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  11. ^ Dailey, Hannah (July 30, 2024). "Maren Morris Isn't Holding Back on 'Intermission': 'I Don't Have to Protect Anyone Anymore'". Billboard. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  12. ^ "Maren Morris announces new EP, Intermission and shares new single "Cut!"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  13. ^ Thompson, Erik. "Maren Morris Reveals 'I Hope I Never Fall In Love,' Is About Life Post-Divorce". Effingham Radio. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  14. ^ Willman, Chris (August 2, 2024). "Maren Morris Says Muna, 'the Professors of Gay,' Helped Quell Her 'Bi-Panic' — and Offered Advice About Dating a Woman While Collaborating on Sexy New Song, 'Push Me Over'". Variety. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  15. ^ "Maren Morris Slates New EP 'Intermission' for August | Holler". holler.country. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  16. ^ Stivale, Shelby (August 2, 2024). "Maren Morris Sings About Ryan Hurd Divorce on Intermission EP". Us Weekly. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  17. ^ "Maren Morris announces new EP out Aug. 2, releases single "Cut!" featuring Julia Michaels » // MELODIC Magazine". www.melodicmag.com. June 27, 2024. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  18. ^ "Maren Morris Drops New Single 'Circles Around This Town,' Her Most Autobiographical Song Yet". Peoplemag. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  19. ^ cut! - Single by Maren Morris & Julia Michaels on Apple Music, June 20, 2024, retrieved September 11, 2024
  20. ^ Maren Morris (June 20, 2024). Maren Morris & Julia Michaels - cut! (Official Lyric Video). Retrieved September 11, 2024 – via YouTube.
  21. ^ "Maren Morris Shares New Song "I Hope I Never Fall In Love": Listen". Stereogum. July 12, 2024. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  22. ^ Maren Morris, Spotify (July 12, 2024). ""I Hope I Never Fall In Love" Single by Maren Morris". Spotify. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  23. ^ MarenMorrisVEVO (July 11, 2024). Maren Morris - i hope i never fall in love (Official Lyric Video). Retrieved September 11, 2024 – via YouTube.
  24. ^ "Maren Morris". YouTube. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  25. ^ @marenmorris, Maren Morris (March 29, 2024). "can't wait to sing with y'all. tickets for the RSVP Redux Tour are on sale today at 10am local. 💌". Instagram. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  26. ^ @marenmorris, Maren Morris (August 13, 2024). "did you push me over or did I?". Instagram. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  27. ^ a b "Maren Morris: Intermission". Spectrum Culture. August 9, 2024. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
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