Maren Morris Reflects on ‘Strangest Year’ as She Releases New EP ‘Intermission’

Maren Morris has marked a significant milestone with the release of her new EP, Intermission, which debuted at midnight on August 2, 2024. 

The five-song project comes after a year of profound personal changes for the 34-year-old country star, who recently went through a high-profile divorce from her husband, musician Ryan Hurd.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, Morris described Intermission as “the distillation of the strangest year of my life,” referring to her recent experiences. She candidly shared that she felt compelled to hit the “scariest reset button” she could imagine, reflecting on the journey of self-discovery and emotional transformation she has undergone.

“The lengths one will go to feel joy again are sometimes desperate and terrifying,” Morris wrote. “But we all deserve peace in these very short few trips around the sun.” Her post was accompanied by the EP track “Push Me Over,” adding a personal touch to her message.

Morris, known for her hit song “Circles Around This Town,” further explained the EP’s significance: “Here’s my heart’s journey and gamut of emotions in 5 songs. As I weave through loss, catharsis, sexuality, and gratitude, I hope you can hear the light coming back to me in these stories and somewhere, perhaps, see it mirrored back in you.”

The release of Intermission follows the conclusion of Morris and Hurd’s divorce, which was finalized in early 2024. The couple, who married in 2018, agreed on a settlement that includes shared custody of their four-year-old son, Hayes Andrew, and a monthly child support payment from Morris to Hurd.

Morris has also been open about her personal growth and identity. In June 2024, she publicly came out as bisexual during Pride Month, sharing her pride through Instagram posts featuring Pride flags. She described her new EP as a significant “act break” and a transition into a new chapter of her life.

Morris’s reflective and emotionally raw project, Intermission, is not only a musical exploration of her recent struggles but also a celebration of her resilience and creativity. “It wasn’t easy to write because I’m going through a lot,” she admitted. “But it’s also the most fun music as well as the most heartbreaking because I’m allowing myself to go there — ’cause I don’t have to protect anyone anymore.”

The EP features collaboration with Julia Michaels on its lead single and signifies Morris’s transition to a new phase, both personally and professionally.