Megan Moroney, Blue Christmas…Duh Review

by Amity Hereweard

Megan Moroney has officially kicked off the holiday season with Blue Christmas…Duh, a surprise EP for anyone who’s ever felt the warmth and the bittersweet ache of Christmas. Produced by frequent collaborator Kristian Bush, this three-track release is Moroney’s distinct singing and writing, serving up festive jingles of humor, heartache, and the timeless charm of country music. Moroney, one of the most in-demand young headliners in country music today, adds a touch of “emo cowgirl” flair to her collection, making it clear that her holiday wish list is far from conventional.

The EP’s opener, “All I Want for Christmas is a Cowboy,” is a sassy, honky-tonk anthem that wastes no time telling you precisely what Megan has on her Christmas list—a cowboy, wrapped up like a perfect present. From the first twangy guitar riff to Moroney’s warm country vocal tone and expressive delivery, this track is pure feel-good fun. The rhythmic country blues swings with a two-step beat that will make even the most reserved listener want to pull on their cowboy boots and hit the dance floor. It’s charmingly playful as Megan croons, “Give me tall, hot in a Stetson / Somethin’ I can unwrap like a present.” The track’s buoyant energy is infectious, and Moroney’s vocal twang adds just enough sass to make it a new Christmas favorite. But beneath the cute, cheeky exterior is a deeper current—an earnest desire for connection during a season often marked by togetherness, which many find elusive.

The mood shifts completely with the EP’s second track, “Christmas Morning,” a slow, haunting ballad that highlights Moroney’s ability to take her listeners on an emotional rollercoaster. This song is a masterful addition to the country’s lineage of holiday heartbreak, filled with lyrics that strike right at the heart of anyone who’s ever spent the holidays feeling disconnected or lost. “Take down the tree, unplug the lights / It’s colder in this bed than it is outside,” she sings, her voice capturing the sadness that comes with losing love at a time that should be joyful. The metaphor of dismantling Christmas decorations is powerful, symbolizing the unraveling of a relationship—where once there was magic, now there’s only the stark emptiness of what used to be. Moroney’s evocative phrasing paints vivid pictures: her voice aches as she asks, “Baby, when did our love stop feelin’ like Christmas morning?” It’s the vulnerability in her delivery, paired with the soft guitar strumming between verses, that makes “Christmas Morning” linger long after the music stops. She perfectly captures that melancholy feeling of being surrounded by festive cheer while internally grieving something lost—a contrast that so many can relate to.

The EP wraps up with a cover of “Blue Christmas,” originally made famous by Elvis Presley. Moroney’s rendition doesn’t try to out-Elvis Elvis but instead adds her own Southern charm to the classic. There’s a restrained vulnerability in her voice, a softness that makes this cover feel deeply personal. She approaches the song with a careful balance of tradition and individuality—her delicate phrasing and occasional raspy inflections make each line feel like a genuine lament. The instrumentation is equally tender, with a gentle sway that supports her voice without overwhelming it, allowing the emotional weight of the lyrics to fully shine through. It’s a heart-wrenching moment on the EP, reminding listeners that the blues of Christmas are just as much a part of the season as the joy. The pauses she takes in the delivery leave a sense of emptiness, pulling you into the heartbreak of the holidays—one that’s painfully familiar to anyone who’s faced a festive season without the person they love.

In Blue Christmas…Duh, Megan Moroney has crafted more than just a holiday EP—she’s created a snapshot of what it’s like to experience the full spectrum of emotions during the season. From cheeky wishes to heartbreaking goodbyes, Moroney effortlessly showcases the versatility of her talent and the depths of her emotional expression. “All I Want for Christmas is a Cowboy” is for those who want to laugh, dance, and forget their troubles for a few minutes, while “Christmas Morning” is for those quiet moments when the weight of the year feels heaviest. And with “Blue Christmas,” she finds a beautiful middle ground—allowing the mix of joy and sorrow to coexist in the same breath. As Christmas music often risks being overdone, Moroney manages to keep it fresh, poignant, and worth revisiting long after the holiday decorations come down. For country fans and anyone seeking an authentic take on the holidays, Blue Christmas…Duh is a must-listen—an EP that delivers on the promise of its name, with a knowing smile and a tear in its eye.