Morgan Nagler has been writing songs for decades. 2026 is the first year she has released an album under her own name. The Los Angeles songwriter co-wrote HAIM’s “Falling” and Phoebe Bridgers’ Grammy-nominated “Kyoto,” and SPIN lists co-writes with Kim Deal, Margo Price, Madi Diaz and Rilo Kiley as well. Her solo debut arrived in March. She turned 48 that April, SPIN reported.
Background
She started as a child actor at 5, with credits including The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Star Trek: The Next Generation, ER, Clueless and American Pie 2. She taught herself guitar in her 20s and went on to play in the bands Whispertown, which made four albums, and Supermoon. SPIN reports she now lives near Malibu.
The sound
The Line of Best Fit describes the album as fuzzed-out, distorted guitars mixed with melodic folk rock and falsetto passages. Stereogum called her single “Hurt” a big, shimmering country-rock jam.
The records
Her first solo single, “Cradle the Pain,” came out in January 2025. The album, I’ve Got Nothing to Lose, and I’m Losing It, followed March 13, 2026, on Little Operation Records and More. She co-produced it with Kyle Thomas of King Tuff, and guests include Courtney Barnett, Madi Diaz, Bethany Cosentino, Meg Duffy, Harrison Whitford and Allison Crutchfield.
Why now
Consequence put her on its emerging artists to watch list for 2026. She is a reminder that “emerging” is not only about age. After decades writing for and with other artists, she is building her own catalog, and she played UK dates in London and at Moseley Folk Festival in September. No Southern California dates are listed yet.
Official links
Sources
- SPIN: Morgan Nagler steps into her favorite role, solo artist
- Consequence: Morgan Nagler announces debut album
- Consequence: Emerging Artists to Watch in 2026
- The Line of Best Fit: Morgan Nagler, screen to stereo
- Stereogum: Morgan Nagler, Cradle the Pain
- Stereogum: Morgan Nagler, Hurt
- Bandcamp: I’ve Got Nothing to Lose, and I’m Losing It
