Featured
John McDonough Blends Folk With Rock Royalty-Inspired Vocals On “Shooting Star”
Country singer/songwriter troubadour John McDonough is back with a new single off his We’ll Answer The Call EP, named Shooting Star. This outlaw country gem has shades of blues, folk, and traditional country infused into a narrative while being performed in an almost theatrical approach. What this means is a rough groove, a visceral guitar, and a saloon-style sounding piano all pulled together with a voice worthy of Broadway. Shooting Star tells many tales to outline the overall theme and message John McDonough is trying to convey; “Never stop looking for your shooting star, Never let others decide who you are”. Shooting Star follows a strict groove throughout the verse and chorus section, a bluesy, deep groove, one with a defiant edge to it. This groove becomes separated in the bridge section. With a light piano interlude breaking up the guitar melodies this allows the recapitulation to be expressed with an almost acapella feel. This contrasting melody coupled with the overall presence of the vocals gives this track so much power, a power that keeps the listener glued to each passing stanza, eager to see where John McDonough is going next.
Shooting Star is a highly professional and mature offering, each lyrical line is expertly annunciated while each chorus section pulls the entire musicality together giving this track a pop-inspired structure. With that said, Shooting Star would make an excellent addition to any contemporary Country, Adult Contemporary, and even Rock radio format. I do not believe John McDonough was intending the Rock market for his target demographic, but with vocals reminiscent of the late Meat Loaf, and guitar harmonies channeling Steve Earle, classic Rock enthusiasts will flock to this modern, and catchy sound. A perfect lead-off track to his latest album, Shooting Star is a great jam to set the tone for the rest of the offering John McDonough has in store. A highly enjoyable track, coupled with a wonderfully uplifting message, Shooting Star should be an addition to any upbeat playlist.
–Lee Callaghan
Artist Spotlight
Alwyn Morrison explores betrayal, judgment, and survival on new EP “Trial”
Life isn’t always a straight line, and Alwyn Morrison explores that in “Trial,” a four-track EP that goes beyond the familiar territory of love and heartbreak. The project blends pop, rock, and singer-songwriter influences, exploring themes of betrayal, false accusations, emotional pain, self-defense, and survival. Each track is inspired by courtrooms and is a step in a personal journey of understanding, acceptance, and ultimately freedom.
The first track, “Puzzle Piece,” is Morrison’s raw, heavy alternative rock sound, fitting the weight of betrayal and false accusations. The song has a sense of tension, putting you in the shoes of someone trying to understand a difficult situation. Followed by “Everybody Bleeds,” which follows that emotional path, creating a song about confusion, openness, and the struggles we all face, and it’s an emotional listen, with hard truths and personal experiences laid bare.
The project’s focus track, “Monster,” goes into more personal territory. It explores what happens when we are judged or condemned for the choices we make, and it carries a message that goes far beyond Morrison’s own experience. The central theme will strike a chord with anyone who has felt misunderstood, unfairly labeled, or defined by others’ opinions.
The EP closes with “Fireflies,” a track that shifts the mood, contrasting childhood innocence and memories with the realities of adult life. The sequence moves the story toward resilience, survival, and earned acceptance. Alwyn Morrison spins a musical tale of hard life experiences put to the test. The courtroom concept gives the four songs real purpose to move on without letting past experience dictate the future.
Artist Spotlight
Fanny Alexandra explores emotional recovery and self-discovery on “Ceasefire”
Not every fight ends a relationship, and there could be long-term emotional damage, with questions about identity, attachment, and the difficult path to moving on. “Ceasefire” is a ghostly alternative rock ballad in which Fanny Alexandra navigates difficult terrain, exploring emotional dependency and the search for selfhood after a toxic relationship.
“Ceasefire” is full of sad melodies and hints of atmospheric rock, making it a dark, cinematic listen. The song’s alt-rock pivot provides an emotionally charged foundation, and it’s about the internal battle, especially when your identity has been so tied to another person.
Fanny Alexandra’s ethereal vocal approach suits the song, lending real emotional weight to the exploration of self-loss and internal tension. “Ceasefire” is a reflective track, with atmospheric instrumentation and deeply personal songwriting that capture feelings that can linger long after a tough chapter closes.
It’s about finding yourself again, and its emotional arc moves from openness and dependence to the hard-earned discovery that personal freedom is more than just walking away. Fanny Alexandra’s love for dark, emotional alternative music inspired “Ceasefire.” Her art is about intimate storytelling, cinematic atmosphere, and making music that explores the quieter struggles people tend to keep inside. In this record, she turns the fallout from a toxic relationship into a meditative reflection on the long road to selfhood.
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