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Dreamsicle (album)

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Dreamsicle
Studio album by
Maren Morris
ReleasedMay 9, 2025 (2025-05-09)
Length43:27
LabelColumbia
Producer
Maren Morris chronology
Intermission
(2024) 		Dreamsicle
(2025)
Singles from Dreamsicle
  1. "People Still Show Up"
    Released: October 25, 2024
  2. "Carry Me Through"
    Released: March 27, 2025
  3. "Bed No Breakfast"
    Released: April 18, 2025

Dreamsicle (stylized as D R E A M S I C L E) is the fourth studio album from American singer and songwriter Maren Morris. It was released on May 9, 2025, by Columbia Records.[1] The album was preceded by the release of an extended play titled Intermission (2024) and spawned four singles: "People Still Show Up", "Carry Me Through", and "Bed No Breakfast".

Background and context

[edit]

Dreamsicle marks Morris' first album in three years since the release of her previous studio album, Humble Quest (2022). During those three years Morris had to deal with some serious professional and personal life struggles.[2][3] In 2022, Morris got in a highly public feud with fellow country singer Jason Aldean, and his wife Brittany, which began after Morris called out Brittany for using her social media platform to make transphobic remarks.[4][5] Brittany then did an interview on Fox News with Tucker Carlson who labeled Morris as a "Lunatic Country Music Person" on national television for defending trans rights.[5]

At the same time, Morris become subject of intense media scrutiny from conservative country listeners and right-wing audience,[6][7] who were against Morris' stance, some who previously had problems with her, after she called out country singer Morgan Wallen for using a racial slur in 2021.[8][9] The scrutinity continued after Jason Aldean, who has shown support to his wife Brittany, continued the feud during a sold-out show where he incited his fans to boo Morris name.[10] Morris received public support from fellow peers, including The Chicks, Laura Veltz, Brittney Spencer, Lady A, Jason Isbell, Brandi Carlile, and her then-husband Ryan Hurd, among others.[11][12]

Following the increasing backlash, Morris released the fourth extended play, The Bridge, which contains the tracks "The Tree" and "Get the Hell Out of Here",[13] and released an statement where she announced that she was leaving the country music industry, citing the industry's unwillingness to reckon with issues of misogyny and racism, as well as its reluctance to support artists from marginalized demographics, as her reasons for doing so.[14] Morris later clarified that she will still make country music, after tabloids spread misinformation omitting the word "Industry" from their headlines, causing more outrage against Morris.[15] Critics had compared Morris controversial exit from the industry to the one faced by The Chicks, formerly known as Dixie Chicks.[16] "Lemonade", "Carry Me Through", and "People Still Show Up" address Morris' feelings regarding the backlash.[17]

In 2023, Morris filed from divorce from Ryan Hurd, and officially separated in 2024.[18][19] In 2024, Morris came out as bisexual.[20] She started sharing droplets from her upcoming record, including "Cut!" with Julia Michaels and "I Hope I Never Fall in Love".[21] She released the fifth extented play, titled Intermission, which includes five songs that were later on included on Dreamsicle.[22] Speaking on the album content with The Cut, Morris denied that the record was a divorce album stating that she's "not documenting what happened during the relationship" but instead she's "documenting the grief, anger, and sadness that follows, and the vulnerability of putting yourself back out there again … of reconnecting with your female friends and yourself",[23] concluding "It's actually, to me, what happens after divorce".[23] Morris also said about the process of the making of dreamsicle that "Ultimately, I just wanted to make music that heals whatever the fuck I went through".[23]

"It represents a lot of influences, a lot of leaps of faith — just true artistic freedom, which is what I've always wanted, and I've had, but not in this way, where it's dovetailing with my personal life freedom, I've gotten to wear many hats in my career, but with my own personal project upcoming, there are no training wheels. I'm being my truest, most secure self. I think the album reflects [my experience of] becoming a mom in the last few years, changing the way I do business post-pandemic, and then also understanding why I needed to let go of some comforts to grow into the person that I needed to be."[24]

— Maren Morris to, Elle magazine about Dreamsicle[24]

Promotion

[edit]

Music videos for "Lemonade",[25] "Cry in the Car",[26] "Dreamsicle",[27] "Too Good",[28] "Grand Bouquet",[29] and "Holy Smoke"[30] were released on May 9 alongside the release of the album, with the first four directed by Blythe Thomas.[31]

Singles

[edit]

"People Still Show Up" was released as the lead single on October 25, 2024. Morris announced the album title, date, tracklist, and artwork on March 27, 2025.[32] The pre-save was made available alongside the new single "Carry Me Through", that same day.[33] "Bed No Breakfast" was released as the album third official single on April 18.[34]

Tour

[edit]

Morris is set to embark into her Dreamsicle World Tour to support the record, with dates across North America, Europe, and the UK.[35][36] The tour started in West Hollywood, US, on May 30.[37][38][39]

Critical reception

[edit]
Dreamsicle ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[40]
Melodic MagazinePositive[41]
Rolling Stone[42]
RIFF Magazine8/10[43]
Pitchfork6.8/10[44]
Country Universe[45]
T2 Online[46]

Dreamsicle has received generally positive reviews, with music critics complimenting Morris' songwriting, vocal skills, and the album's cohesion.

Matt Collar of AllMusic gave the album an almost perfect score of 4.5 out of 5 stars, praising Morris artistry, vocal performance and her self-confidence, stating that with her new record "Morris has made an album that's less of a statement about walking away from Nashville and country music and more about the transcendent creative freedom that comes with knowing who you are."[40] Writing for Rolling Stone, critic Maura Johnston described the record as "a complicated modern-pop confection", elaborating: "It has the surface trappings of a sun-dappled pop album, but those big hooks are often hiding semi-privately mourned wounds," indicating that while the music sounds upbeat, it subtly addresses more private, reflective feelings.[42] Similarly, Piper Westrom of RIFF Magazine called Dreamsicle "an authentic expression of pain, self-reclamation [...], and healing", describing the record as "well-executed" and a "showcase her fluidity as an artist".[43] Alex Brodeur of The Vanderbilt Hustler praised Morris work as a songwriter, stating that Dreamsicle "is still a strong showing of Morris' successful songwriting and noteworthy musical hooks".[47] Jon M. Gilbertson of Shepherd Express commented positively about Morris' ability to jump between different music genres, calling her "a flexible singer" and saying she is "almost as savvy in her pop ways as Beyoncé and Taylor Swift are in theirs."[48]

While less enthusiastic about its pop production, Jonathan Keefe of Country Universe highlighted Morris' unique songwriting and vocal performance on the album, saying, "she's doing some best-ever singing". Keefe also lamented the mistreatment Morris faced from part of the country industry, stating: "it's a damning indictment that the country genre would happily let someone who can write and sing like this just walk away while they continue to talk about being one big family".[45]

Track listing

[edit]
Dreamsicle track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Lemonade"
2:58
2."People Still Show Up"
Antonoff2:52
3."Cry in the Car"
2:47
4."Cut!" (featuring Julia Michaels)
Little2:08
5."Bed No Breakfast"
  • Ryan
  • The Monsters & Strangerz
  • S. Johnson[v]
2:26
6."Dreamsicle"Morris
  • Robbins
  • Morris
2:58
7."I Hope I Never Fall in Love"
  • Morris
  • Evan Blair
  • Delacey
  • Lucy Healey
Blair3:36
8."Too Good"
  • Morris
  • Jesso
  • Little
Little2:40
9."Push Me Over"
  • McPherson
  • Robbins[v]
3:36
10."Because, of Course"
Blair2:47
11."Grand Bouquet"
  • Morris
  • Antonoff
  • Veltz
Antonoff3:46
12."This Is How a Woman Leaves"
Blair2:49
13."Carry Me Through"
Kurstin3:35
14."Holy Smoke"
  • Morris
  • Antonoff
  • Veltz
Antonoff4:37
Total length:43:27
Dreamsicle: Extended track listing[49]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
15."Cut!" (Solo Version)
  • Morris
  • Ailin
  • Little
Little2:08
Total length:45:35

Notes

[edit]
  • ^[v] signifies a vocal producer.
  • All track titles are stylized in all lowercase.

Personnel

[edit]

Credits are adapted from Tidal.[50]

Musicians

[edit]
  • Maren Morris – lead vocals (all tracks), background vocals (tracks 1–5, 8, 10, 14), synthesizer (6), percussion (11, 14)
  • Jordan K. Johnson – drums, keyboards, programming (tracks 1, 5)
  • Stefan Johnson – drums, keyboards, programming (tracks 1, 5)
  • Isaiah Tejada – bass, drums, organ, piano, programming (track 1)
  • Ali Tamposi – background vocals (track 1)
  • Michael Pollack – background vocals (track 1)
  • Alex Strahel – guitar (track 1)
  • Jack Antonoff – bass, drums, Mellotron, synthesizer (tracks 2, 11, 14); cello, organ, programming (2); guitar, piano, slide guitar (11, 14), acoustic guitar (14)
  • Laura Veltz – background vocals (track 2)
  • Naomi McPherson – guitar, programming (tracks 3, 9); drums, synth bass, synthesizer (3); keyboards (9)
  • Geo Botelho – bass (tracks 3, 9)
  • Joel Little – programming (tracks 4, 8); keyboards, percussion, synthesizer (4); acoustic guitar, bass, drums, strings (8)
  • Julia Michaels – lead vocals, background vocals (track 4)
  • John Ryan – drums, programming (track 5)
  • Rob Moose – strings (tracks 6, 8, 12); viola, violin (8)
  • Jimmy Robbins – acoustic guitar, guitar, keyboards, synthesizer (track 6)
  • Evan Blair – bass, guitar (tracks 7, 10, 12)
  • Steve Wolf – drums (tracks 7, 10, 12)
  • Delacey – background vocals (track 7)
  • Katie Gavin – background vocals (track 9)
  • Josette Maskin – guitar (track 9)
  • Madi Diaz – background vocals (track 12)
  • Greg Kurstin – bass, drums, guitar, keyboards, Mellotron, organ, percussion, piano, strings, synthesizer (track 13)

Technical

[edit]
  • Dale Becker – mastering (tracks 1, 3–14)
  • Ruairi O'Flaherty – mastering (track 2)
  • Alex Ghenea – mixing (tracks 1, 4, 5, 7–10, 12)
  • Laura Sisk – mixing (tracks 2, 3, 6, 11, 14), engineering (2, 11, 14)
  • Greg Kurstin – mixing, engineering (track 13)
  • Stefan Johnson – engineering (tracks 1, 5)
  • Oli Jacobs – engineering (tracks 2, 11, 14)
  • Joel Little – engineering (tracks 4, 8)
  • Denis Kosiak – engineering (track 4)
  • Rob Moose – engineering (track 8)
  • Jimmy Robbins – engineering (track 9), vocal engineering (3), editing (6)
  • Jack Manning – engineering (track 11), engineering assistance (2, 10)
  • Jack Antonoff – engineering (track 11)
  • Julian Burg – engineering (track 13)
  • Matt Tuggle – engineering (track 13)
  • Evan Blair – vocal engineering (tracks 7, 10, 12)
  • Adam Burt – engineering assistance (tracks 1, 3–6, 10, 13, 14), mastering assistance (9, 12)
  • Brady Wortzel – engineering assistance (tracks 1, 3, 4)
  • Noah McCorkle – engineering assistance (tracks 1, 3–6, 10, 13, 14), mastering assistance (9, 12)
  • Dani Perez – engineering assistance (tracks 2, 10)
  • Joey Miller – engineering assistance (tracks 2, 10)
  • Jozef Caldwell – engineering assistance (track 2), mixing assistance (14)
  • Geo Botelho – engineering assistance (track 9)
  • Naomi McPherson – engineering assistance (track 9)
  • Brandon Hernandez – mastering assistance (tracks 9, 12)

Charts

[edit]
Dreamsicle chart performance
Chart (2025) Peak
position
Scottish Albums (OCC)[51] 18
UK Albums Sales (OCC)[52] 26
US Top Album Sales (Billboard)[53] 28

Release history

[edit]
Dreamsicle release history
Region Date Format(s) Label Ref.
Various May 9, 2025
Columbia [54]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Paul, Larisha (March 25, 2025). "Maren Morris Is Warming Up to Release New Album, 'Dreamsicle'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  2. ^ Moran, Robert (May 23, 2025). "'You need to let people know where you stand': Maren Morris on being country music's most outspoken star". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment. ISSN 0312-6315. OCLC 226369741. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  3. ^ Willman, Chris (May 18, 2025). "Maren Morris on Addressing Divorce, Religion and a Single Woman's Freedom in Pop-Leaning 'Dreamsicle' Album: 'It's Taken Me Years to Live Up to the Boldness of My Own Music'". Variety. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  4. ^ Dunworth, Liberty (August 22, 2024). "Maren Morris on her "insurrection Barbie" tweet about Brittany Aldean: "I stand by it"". NME. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  5. ^ a b Travis, Emlyn (September 2, 2022). "Maren Morris and Brittany Aldean clash again amid backlash to Aldean's transphobic remarks". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on September 5, 2022. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  6. ^ Appell, Lauren DeBellis (September 22, 2023). "Country music's Maren Morris goes woke, blasts Trump. Why did she take her '80s Mercedes out of town?". Fox News. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  7. ^ Liptak, Carena (October 16, 2023). "Lee Greenwood: Maren Morris Doesn't Understand Country Music". Taste of Country. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  8. ^ Millman, Ethan (August 30, 2024). "Maren Morris Says Son Faced Death Threats After She Criticized Morgan Wallen Over Racial Slur". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  9. ^ Dailey, Hannah (August 30, 2024). "Maren Morris Says Her Family Received 'Scary' Death Threats After She Called Out Morgan Wallen". Billboard. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  10. ^ Dailey, Hannah (October 17, 2022). "Jason Aldean Fans Boo Maren Morris' Name After He Mentions Her in Concert". Billboard. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  11. ^ Summerhill, Hannah (September 15, 2023). "Maren Morris Is Carving Out a New Role for the Country-Music Star". Vogue. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  12. ^ McGahan, Michelle (August 29, 2022). "Maren Morris and Brittany Aldean's Feud: Celebrities Take Sides". Us Weekly. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  13. ^ "Maren Morris liberates herself from toxic country music culture on new EP The Bridge". Consequence. September 15, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  14. ^ "Maren Morris is getting the hell out of country music: 'I've said everything I can say'". Los Angeles Times. September 15, 2023. Archived from the original on September 15, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  15. ^ Horton, Adrian (May 11, 2025). "Maren Morris: 'I never said I'm leaving country music'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  16. ^ Yahr, Emily; Loofbourow, Lili; Scribner, Herb; Kumar, Naveen (December 21, 2023). "20 years after the Chicks controversy, Maren Morris picks up the torch". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  17. ^ "Maren Morris presents a dreamscape on fourth studio album 'D R E A M S I C L E' - The Vanderbilt Hustler". May 15, 2025. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  18. ^ "Maren Morris and Husband Ryan Hurd Divorcing After 5 Years of Marriage". Entertainment Tonight. Archived from the original on October 17, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  19. ^ "Ryan Hurd Covers Taylor Swift Breakup Song After Maren Morris Split". Entertainment Tonight. Archived from the original on January 23, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  20. ^ "Maren Morris comes out as bisexual in new post celebrating Pride Month". Out Magazine. June 9, 2024. Archived from the original on June 10, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  21. ^ Algar, Emily Frances (August 2, 2024). "Review: Cut! Maren Morris Slows It Down With New EP 'Intermission,' Exploring Identity Through Song". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  22. ^ Daw, Stephen (August 2, 2024). "How Maren Morris Musically Started Over After Experiencing a 'Personal Implosion'". Billboard. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  23. ^ a b c Leibert, Emily (May 9, 2025). "Don't Call It a Divorce Album". The Cut. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  24. ^ a b "Maren Morris on Her New Music, Being Bi, and 'Wicked'". Elle.com. December 18, 2024. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  25. ^ MarenMorrisVEVO (May 8, 2025). Maren Morris - lemonade (Official Video). Retrieved May 10, 2025 – via YouTube.
  26. ^ MarenMorrisVEVO (May 8, 2025). Maren Morris - cry in the car (Official Video). Retrieved May 10, 2025 – via YouTube.
  27. ^ MarenMorrisVEVO (May 8, 2025). Maren Morris - dreamsicle (Official Video). Archived from the original on May 13, 2025. Retrieved May 10, 2025 – via YouTube.
  28. ^ MarenMorrisVEVO (May 8, 2025). Maren Morris - too good (Official Video). Retrieved May 10, 2025 – via YouTube.
  29. ^ MarenMorrisVEVO (May 8, 2025). Maren Morris - grand bouquet (Official Video). Retrieved May 10, 2025 – via YouTube.
  30. ^ Maren Morris (May 8, 2025). Maren Morris - holy smoke (Official Video). Retrieved May 10, 2025 – via YouTube.
  31. ^ "Directed by Blythe Thomas: Maren Morris "Dreamsicle" videos". Blythe Thomas. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  32. ^ Croteau, Hannah (March 26, 2025). "Maren Morris announces her new album 'D R E A M S I C L E' » // MELODIC Magazine". Melodicmag.com. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  33. ^ "Arlington-raised singer Maren Morris to release new album 'Dreamsicle'". Dallas News. March 27, 2025. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  34. ^ Jasso, Silke (April 19, 2025). "Maren Morris Steps Into Bold New Era With 'Bed No Breakfast' and 'Dreamsicle'". EntertainmentNow. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  35. ^ Molloy, Laura (April 28, 2025). "Maren Morris announces 'The Dreamsicle' 2025 UK and EU tour". NME. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  36. ^ "Maren Morris Announces 2025 "Dreamsicle Tour" Dates". IMDb. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  37. ^ Paul, Larisha (April 25, 2025). "Maren Morris Announces Extensive 'Dreamsicle' 2025 World Tour". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  38. ^ "MAREN MORRIS ANNOUNCES GLOBAL TOUR DATES FOR 2025: THE DREAMSICLE TOUR". imprintent.org. April 25, 2025. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  39. ^ Thompson, Erik. "Maren Morris Announces 2025 'Dreamsicle' World Tour". 107.3 JACK FM & KMO Country 101.5. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  40. ^ a b "Dreamsicle - Maren Morris | Album". AllMusic. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  41. ^ Croteau, Hannah (May 9, 2025). "Maren Morris owns her evolution on 'D R E A M S I C L E' » // MELODIC Magazine". Melodic Magazine. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  42. ^ a b Johnston, Maura (May 9, 2025). "Maren Morris' Big Hooks Hide Private Wounds". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on May 10, 2025. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  43. ^ a b "ALBUM REVIEW: Maren Morris heals with 'Dreamsicle'". RIFF Magazine. May 3, 2025. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  44. ^ Wicks, Amanda. "Maren Morris: D R E A M S I C L E". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  45. ^ a b Keefe, Jonathan (May 19, 2025). "Album Review Roundup: Vol. 1, No. 18". Country Universe. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  46. ^ "Album review: A rare Cat Stevens album to Maren Morris getting over heartaches". T2 Online. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  47. ^ Brodeur, Alex (May 15, 2025). "Maren Morris presents a dreamscape on fourth studio album 'D R E A M S I C L E'". The Vanderbilt Hustler. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  48. ^ Gilbertson, Jon M. (May 9, 2025). "Dreamsicle by Maren Morris". Shepherd Express. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  49. ^ "Maren Morris - ✨ D R E A M S I C L E: Extended ✨ feat..." Facebook.com. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  50. ^ "D R E A M S I C L E / Maren Morris / Credits". Tidal. May 9, 2025. Archived from the original on May 31, 2025. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  51. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  52. ^ "Official Albums Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
  53. ^ "Maren Morris Chart History (Top Album Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
  54. ^ "Maren Morris | Official Website". Marenmorris.com. March 27, 2025. Archived from the original on March 25, 2025. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
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