Album Review: You've Made Up For Everything / Golden Valley by Morgan Ruppe
Morgan Ruppe’s latest release, You've Made Up For Everything / Golden Valley, is like that one friend who shows up unannounced but ends up being the life of the party. Released under Hummingbird Of Clover (a label name so charming it deserves its own Instagram account), this little gem falls squarely in the Folk, World, & Country genre with a heavy lean toward country vibes. And let me tell ya—this ain’t your grandpa’s hoedown music. It’s got soul, grit, and just enough twang to keep things interesting.
Let’s dive into the tracks, shall we? First off, there’s “You’ve Made Up For Everything.” Now, I don’t know what exactly Morgan’s making up for here—is it past mistakes? A lifetime supply of bad decisions? Or maybe just forgetting someone’s birthday? Whatever it is, she sells it hard. The melody feels like driving down an open highway at sunset, windows down, wind messing up your hair. There’s something raw about the vocals—a mix of apology and defiance—that sticks with you long after the song fades out. Plus, the lyrics are clever without trying too hard, which is always a win in my book.
Then there’s “Golden Valley,” and holy cow, does this track hit differently. If “You’ve Made Up For Everything” is the emotional heart-to-heart, “Golden Valley” is the quiet moment afterward when everyone sits around awkwardly eating pie. The instrumentation has this dreamy, almost hypnotic quality—like if you crossed a banjo with a lullaby. I found myself zoning out halfway through, only to snap back and realize I’d been humming along for minutes. It’s peaceful yet haunting, kinda like remembering a place you’ve never actually been to. Weird flex, but I’m into it.
What makes these songs stand out isn’t just their sound—it’s how they make you feel. Listening to them feels less like consuming art and more like eavesdropping on someone’s private thoughts. You can practically hear Morgan sitting on a porch somewhere in the U.S., strumming her guitar while pondering life’s big questions. Like, why do we bother folding fitted sheets when no one’s watching?
In the end, You've Made Up For Everything / Golden Valley doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel—it just gives it a fresh coat of paint and lets it roll. It’s simple, sincere, and sneakily profound. Honestly, I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did. But hey, sometimes the best things come from places you least expect. Like finding $5 in your jeans or realizing pineapple DOES belong on pizza.
So grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and give this album a spin. Just don’t blame me if you start daydreaming about golden valleys and mysterious apologies.
