The Stories I Started
Ivy Morgan’s debut album, "The Stories I Started," is a gripping collection of 11 tracks that capture the raw emotions and complexities of adolescence, self-discovery, and the challenges of growing up.
At just 17, Ivy combines insightful lyricism with a mature perspective on life’s intricacies, blending folk, indie, and pop influences into a sound that resonates with emotional authenticity. Drawing deeply from her own experiences, each song on the album tells a different story that is both relatable and profoundly personal, positioning Ivy as a promising new voice in songwriting, singing, and storytelling.
Release date: September 20th, 2024
Producer: James McKenty
About Ivy
Growing up with a deep love for storytelling, Ivy Morgan works with the combination of poetic lyricism and moving instrumentals to encompass the universal challenges of growing up—a girl becoming a young woman; a diary becoming an album.
"The Stories I Started," showcases her ability to turn personal experiences into relatable narratives, marking her as a fresh and promising voice. With influences ranging decades, from Carole King to Phoebe Bridgers, Ivy’s music feels both timeless and contemporary, capturing the essence of youth with a maturity beyond her years.
The Stories I Started
Track Descriptions
Normal World
Ivy delves into the confusing dynamics of late adolescence, where the standards and expectations imposed begin to unravel. The song reflects on the realization that everyone, regardless of age, is navigating life without a clear roadmap, highlighting the universal uncertainty of growing up.First Days
Inspired by a dream, this track explores the anticipation and anxiety of entering a new phase in life. She captures the all-to-common fear of being judged while trying to reinvent oneself, only to realize that the past is never truly left behind. With the ultimate realization that it’s impossible to take control over the things that have yet to happen.Margaret
A powerful exploration of internalized patriarchy, this song was inspired by a quote from Margaret Atwood. Ivy uses the metaphor of a "man inside her head" to depict the relentless pressure women face to conform and preform to societal standards, even when alone.I'll Lose to You
This track is a vocal showcase for Ivy, expressing the frustration of feeling powerless in a relationship where every interaction seems like a game—trying to reclaim strength and agency in the face of emotional manipulation.Storybook Game
Here, Ivy reflects on her her lifelong obsession with living life as if it were a story. Both to get encapsulated by a narrative while also trying to live her own, she realizes that real life is far more complex, it requires letting go. The song builds musically, mirroring the journey from safety to self-discovery.Mary
In this introspective track, Ivy reveals the subtle but pervasive pressure to conform to the ever-changing beauty standards . The fictional Mary symbolizes the internal and external judgments that shape a young woman’s sense of self, questioning the impossible standards placed upon her.A Girl’s Guide to Boy Scouts
This song is a nostalgic look at the innocence of childhood, gradually giving way to the awareness of gender differences and the power dynamics that come with growing up. Ivy shifts the narrative by the end, reclaiming power with a promise to do everything she can to stop the cycle that eats away at every girl who grows up, to keep the magic of girlhood alive.Grass Grows
A reflective ode to the passage of time, this song encapsulates the transition each chapter of life. From childhood to adulthood, Ivy uses real sounds from her own life to emphasize the fleeting nature of time, creating a poignant narrative about growth and memory.Red Converse
Ivy's first written song for the album begun when she was 15, "Red Converse," symbolizes the struggle to let go of childhood innocence. Through vivid imagery, she explores the attachment to naivety and the fear of losing herself as she grows older.Daisies
A raw and fiery response to a painful breakup, "Daisies" captures the immediate emotions following heartache. The gritty guitar contrasts with the delicate lyrics, illustrating the tension between anger and underlying sadness in the direct aftermath of the loss of a first love.Eleven Eleven
Inspired by a trip to Amsterdam, this final track delves into Ivy's evolving relationship with spirituality. Through reflections on superstition and the search for connection, she questions the boundaries between belief and reality, closing the album with a sense of introspective wonder.