Sean McConnell is an incredibly brilliant songwriter. His songs ring true with real life. It’s impossible to not relate to the
situations he vividly describes. He
paints scenes with his lyrics that make you feel like you’re experiencing
it. His latest release ‘Midland’ was highly
anticipated and was worth the wait.
Every song on this album is crafted perfection. There’s no way to choose a favorite. The album starts with the title track
“Midland.” It describes the tragic life
of a girl stuck in a small town. Her
life and surroundings are constant and things never change. Days turn into years and time passes; this
song is a perfect representation of the monotonous cycle of life in a small
town. I love that this is the title
track of the album because it says a lot about the type of artist/songwriter
McConnell is and the audience he writes for.
“Save Our Soul” is about the need for a musical
revival. His soulful vocals accompany
the powerful lyrics on this one to make it a strong delivery that sings to all
that hope for the return of real music.
“Let Me Go” is heart wrenching from beginning to end. The first line tells us how the song is going
to conclude, yet every line following makes the song more and more compelling. The ending of a relationship is difficult and
finding a way to go about the break up is challenging. After listening to this song, it makes you
feel exactly like you do in the moment.
The play on words in this song describe how it is and the struggle in
trying to find the words to say. The
bridge connects the song, ‘Could you just break this trap, unwrap me from your
finger, the least that you can do is not let it linger.’ This is a call of desperation to hurry up and
get the pain over with. Ultimately, each
line in this song delicately describes an emotional situation that we all face that
never gets easier.
Next up, “Novocaine” is about the blissful stage in liking a
person. The comparison of a girl’s
affection to Novocain is brilliant and edgy.
This girl takes his mind off worries and is essentially is his
drug.
“Kiss” is about a guy who is crazy over a girl and would do
anything for her. It starts off kind of
circus sounding, which gives it an eerie yet cool vibe. This is a sweet song because he is completely
consumed by her, he’s basically as the song says, a puppet on a string and his
salvation is ‘just one kiss’ from her.
“Suppertime” is about how time changes life as we know
it. When we’re young there’s no worries
in the world. As we grow older our lives
become busier and more complicated. This
is unfortunate yet true; sometimes we just want to go back to the times where
we were sitting around eating at the table.
In reality, life is a constant and we can of course not go back. This song is reminiscing on the simple times in
life of the past.
“I Didn’t Want to Love You Anyway” rips at the
heartstrings. It describes about giving
a relationship all you have and waiting for your feelings to reciprocate. And when they never do, the disappointment is
devastating. The lyrics are powerful and
the listener can hear the sincerity in McConnell’s vocal delivery. The verbal irony in this song is mind
blowingly good. It’s hard to believe
what the guy is saying, and it seems that he is struggling with believing what
he is saying himself. The bridge brings
the song to another level of emotional. “I don’t need your sympathy, girl don’t
act like you ruined me. Don’t you dare
speak my name when you pray. I didn’t want
to love you anyway.” This song is an
honest representation of this situation.
“Different Kind of Blue” is a tune about all of the good
things in life, seeing beauty in the smallest things and making the most of
each day. It’s hard to listen to this
one and not tap your toes.
“Lord It’s Gonna Rain” depicts a severe storm in an eerie
way. The details in the lyrics put you
in the scene. It’s terrifying to listen
to the story of this storm destroying everything around.
“Hungover You Tonight” is another brilliant example of play
on words McConnell is so great at. The
type of hangover in this song is from knowing a relationship is going nowhere
and the contemplation that happens as a result.
There is no hope for the situation even though there was an effort to make
things work.
“Old Brown Shoes” is about the sentimental emotions that
result from a loved ones passing. When
someone dies it is always too soon. There
is never a day that goes by that the person does not cross your mind. Coping is one of the hardest things to do;
this song describes the way this person is dealing.
Sean McConnell is a genius singer/songwriter and this
project is incredible. It’s one of the
best this year and the songs will continue to resonate with many for a long
long time. The topics he writes and
sings about are relevant as they relate to the greater human experience. He is one of the best at what he does and
“Midland” is the perfect representation of that.
Download 'Midland' on iTunes now: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/midland/id577659438?uo=4
