Megan Moroney : Blue Christmas… duh Review

by Shannon Smith

Megan Moroney’s Blue Christmas… duh brings a fresh, candid perspective to country holiday music, infusing it with her signature “emo cowgirl” style. This surprise EP—featuring two of her new original songs and a take on Elvis’s timeless “Blue Christmas”—showcases Moroney’s knack for blending playful, light-hearted charm with deeply resonant, melancholic storytelling, a combination that has quickly set her apart in the country music scene.

The EP opens with “All I Want for Christmas is a Cowboy,” a fun, honky-tonk romp that captures the magic of the holiday spirit with a distinctly country twist. Co-written by Moroney and frequent collaborators Ben Williams, Mackenzie Carpenter, and Micah Carpenter, the song is a lively request to Santa for a cowboy with classic Western allure. The humor and flirtation in the lyrics—”Give me tall hot in a Stetson, somethin’ I can unwrap like a present”—reflect Moroney’s playful side, wrapped up in toe-tapping beats that make this tune an instant holiday favorite. The song’s energy and wit set the stage for the EP’s dual nature, alternating between light-hearted fun and meaningful lyrics.

“Christmas Morning,” a moving country ballad, taps into a more somber, introspective vein. This song is all about the ache of lost love and the inevitable loneliness that haunts the holiday season for many. Moroney’s vivid storytelling stands out here, painting a picture of a Christmas morning weighed down by heartbreak rather than joy. Lyrics like, “Take down the tree, unplug the lights, it’s colder in this bed than it is outside,” encapsulate the sorrow of a relationship fading away, using the holiday setting as a backdrop for a tale of love gone cold. This track reflects Moroney’s expressive vocal tone and delivery as she convincingly conveys the emotions in her lyrics. “Christmas Morning” is a sure addition to the long-standing tradition of country holiday ballads that strike the heart.

The EP concludes with a heartfelt rendition of “Blue Christmas.” Moroney’s take on the Elvis classic is perfectly aligned with the melancholic “blue” aesthetic that has marked her recent work. She captures the song’s longing with a subtlety that echoes the themes of her sophomore album, Am I Okay? Her rendition uses her warm country-tinged vocals to capture the emotional rawness as if Moroney is reminiscing on a Christmas past, weaving her personal style into the song’s legacy. The band is excellent, with mournful pedal steel fills and country guitar commentary.

With Blue Christmas… duh, Megan Moroney has added two originals to the Christmas cannon that balance holiday cheer with a grounded look at the emotional complexities of the season. Through her unique blend of humor and heartbreak, she offers something for every listener—whether you’re looking to dance around the Christmas tree or reflect on love lost. Moroney’s release is an authentic extension of her artistry as one of country music’s most promising young talents. This EP, much like her previous work, is likely to stay on repeat, capturing the spirit of the season while remaining relatable well beyond it.