Kevin Morby: Little Wide Open review – midwestern elegist mulls over the mystery of life’s big questions
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- Kevin Morby releases his eighth album, Little Wide Open, which opens with the track “Badlands.”
- Badlands references Terrence Malick’s 1973 film and Bruce Springsteen’s 1978 song of the same name.
- Aaron Dessner of The National contributes production work on Little Wide Open.
- Kevin Morby grew up between Missouri farmland and Kansas City suburbs, shaping the album’s Midwestern perspective.
- Kevin Morby’s prior releases include the 2022 soul‑inflected “This Is a Photograph” and the 2019 jazz‑oriented “Oh My God” with sax improvisation.
Why it matters: Fans of indie Americana and streaming services gain fresh content, while Morby’s modest sales illustrate the niche but dedicated market for introspective singer‑songwriters, and the album’s critical acclaim reinforces his reputation among discerning listeners.
