Kip Moore has always been a bit of an outlier in the Nashville machine. You know the type—the guy who refuses to play the "hat act" game, prefers a surfboard to a red carpet, and writes songs that feel more like Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska than anything you’d hear on a "Hot Country" playlist. But with his sixth studio album, Kip Moore Solitary Tracks, he didn't just step outside the box. He basically torched the box and walked into the woods alone.
Released on February 28, 2025, this project is massive. I’m talking 23 songs. That's a lot of music to digest in one sitting, especially when the subject matter is as heavy as a wet wool blanket. It’s his first real swing at life after leaving MCA Nashville, and honestly, you can feel that "independent" energy vibrating through every chord. He’s not trying to get a song to #1 on the radio anymore. He’s trying to survive his own head.
The Story Behind the Music
The making of this record sounds like something out of a grit-lit novel. Kip spent over a year juggling the "wear and tear" of the road, writing and recording on his off days. He wasn't sitting in a posh Music Row studio with a team of consultants. Instead, he was co-producing with his long-time buddy Jaren Johnston (from The Cadillac Three), alongside Oscar Charles and Jay Joyce.
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The album is literally split into four "sides"—A, B, C, and D. Kip has been pretty vocal about the fact that Sides A and B were born from a dark, heavy place. He calls it "cleaning out the closet." It’s about looking at the wreckage, facing the skeletons, and—this is the key part—actually walking away from the door instead of just closing it.
What Makes Solitary Tracks Different?
Most artists say their new album is their "most personal." It's a cliché. But with Kip Moore Solitary Tracks, it actually feels true because the production is so raw. It’s "roots-and-soul." It’s ragged.
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- High Hopes: The opener. It's anthemic but desperate, a "real-time unpacking" of where he is.
- Bad Spot: A piano-led confession. It’s about a relationship failing in a "bad spot"—bad timing, bad service, bad headspace.
- Forever Is a Lie: This might be the gut-punch of the whole project. It’s Kip admitting that maybe he’s just married to the road and his craft, and that the idea of "forever" with a person is something he’s stopped believing in.
A Gamble on Authenticity
There's a specific kind of defiance on this record. You’ve got tracks like "Live Here to Work," which is a blistering, guitar-heavy middle finger to the soul-sucking grind of the modern world. Then you’ve got "Learning As I Go," which is basically a mid-tempo folk-rock anthem for anyone who still feels like a screw-up at 40.
Kip’s been quoted saying he’ll never "cheat" by writing what people want to hear. He’d rather be a "lone wolf" making solitary tracks than a lapdog for a label. That’s why he partnered with Virgin Music Group for this release. It gave him the global reach he wanted—Kip is massive in places like the UK and South Africa—without the creative handcuffs.
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Why the Length Matters (and Why it Doesn't)
Look, 85 minutes is a long time. Some critics have argued that the album could’ve used a bit of a trim. Maybe lose seven of the 150-bpm tracks? Sure. But if you talk to the "die-hard" Moore fans—the ones who travel across oceans for his shows—they’ll tell you they want every single second.
The record feels like a journey. It starts in the trenches of introspection and ends with "Only Me," a rootsy search for kindred spirits. It’s the sound of a man who stopped caring about the "Nashville optics" and started caring about his own peace of mind.
Actionable Takeaways for the Listener
If you're diving into this record for the first time, don't try to power through it while you're doing chores. It's not background music.
- Listen in segments. Treat the four sides like four separate EPs. Start with Side A and B (the heavy stuff) at night. Save Side C and D for a long drive.
- Watch the "Bad Spot" and "Solitary Tracks" videos. They add a visual layer to the "weathered soul" vibe Kip is leaning into these days.
- Catch the live show. The "Solitary Tracks World Tour" isn't just a concert; it’s basically a two-hour sermon. Kip is at his best when he’s sweating through a shirt and screaming these lyrics back at a crowd.
Ultimately, Kip Moore Solitary Tracks is a record for the outsiders. It’s for the people who feel like they’re walking a plank by themselves. It’s not always pretty, and it’s definitely not "radio-friendly" in the traditional sense, but it’s the most honest thing he’s ever done. If you’ve ever felt like a "lone wolf," this is your soundtrack.