Based in New York City, newcomer Alwyn Morrison is a singer-songwriter who’s stepped out with his original pop-focused indie rock sound. His music takes tales of heartbreak, ambition, framed by his life in the city and spins them into catchy and meaningful musical moments.
From his early days playing xylophone in his school orchestra to jamming on tambourine in college, music has always been part of Alwyn’s life. Yet, for a time, his connection to music found expression not in creation, but in observation. As a music journalist, he developed his understanding of the industry by interviewing artists like Grammy-winning Esperanza Spalding and producer Jack Antonoff. However, it was personal hardship that ultimately fuelled his need to turn his lived experiences into art.
Making his official artistic entrance, he shares his brand new debut single titled “The City,” presenting an exciting introduction to his unique musical voice. Not only an ode to New York, the track offers a poignant exploration of the tension between belonging and alienation that can arise in any city. Linking up with producer Michael Carey, known for his work with Gwen Stefani and Pablo Alborán, as well as composer Michael Kooman, Alwyn serves up a charming jam that threads buoyant pop writing in a rock-tinged sound.
Through this lens, “The City” becomes a soundtrack to the relentless pursuit of love, stability and dreams with hints of sonder-esque context. Opened by the lively strike of rolling drums, bright guitar strums and twanging lead notes glide above the shuffling rhythm as piano tones accent the melodic flourishes before Alwyn’s voice enters to spin instantly memorable melodic hooks carrying thoughtful storytelling lyricism.
Jumping into a chorus of bouncy rhythm and infectious vocal leads, he crafts stunning sound that’s impossible not to love. Peppered with slick lead guitar licks and building to a stunning bluesy solo in the finale, “The City” sees Alwyn Morrison make a sensational entrance as a thrilling new artist with a unique and truly compelling musical offering.
Paired with the single is a self-directed music video with cinematography from Denice Flores and Viken Kazandjian, which features real people and their real stories. With various city scenes and characters holding up signs to reveal snippets of their life in the city cut with shots of Alwyn performing the song, it’s an engaging visual experience that perfectly distils the poignant context of the song in spectacular fashion.
Watch the music video for The City below
Photography credit: Denice Flores Almendares
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