Psychopath (album)

Psychopath is the third studio album by American country music artist Morgan Wade. It was released on August 25, 2023, through RCA Nashville. The release was recorded immediately after her breakthrough Reckless and has received positive reviews from critics.

Content
Wade co-wrote all 13 tracks on Psychopath, and Sadler Vaden produced the project.

Reception
Hal Horowitz of American Songwriter gave this album three out of five stars, praising tracks that "highlight Wade’s clear, tough, yet emotional vocals" and the songwriting, but criticizing that "the album would be better if draped in starker surroundings for a less-is-more appeal". BrooklynVegan included this among their 13 Great Country Albums from 2023, with critic Andrew Sacher writing that "Morgan has a way of blurring the lines between country traditions, punk grit, and pop appeal, but more important than any of her stylistic choices is just how strong her songwriting is... the way she turns a phrase and delivers a melody will catch you off guard on first listen". A profile of Wade by The Los Angeles Times included the assessment by Jewly Hight that this music has an "alpha attitude and potent vulnerability make for one of current country music’s more bracing dispatches". John Amen of No Depression stated that this album "continues to display [Wade's] versatility, crafting accessible narratives while reveling in textbook hooks" and "highlights her broadening range and skillful integrations of country, rock, and pop elements". In The Sydney Morning Herald, Robert Moran rated this album four out of five stars, praising Wade's songwriting abilities and how among "songs touching on her wobbly relationship with addiction, she cuts an edgy figure among her clean-cut, all-American country cohorts". Poppie Platt of The Daily Telegraph gave Psychopath three out of five stars, ending that it "may not thrill the country purists out there, it’s a promising next step for an artist who could be well on her way to making the rare crossover into the mainstream charts".

Personnel

 * Morgan Wade – guitar, vocals
 * Sadler Vaden – production

Chart performance
Psychopath reached sixth place on Billboard's Top Heatseekers and 45 on Country Albums.