Danny McMahon is back in the studio and the result is his new 6 track EP Senses.
With that number of new
songs it is almost an album, but we won’t quibble over a name. If we are being pedantic – he’s not back in the
studio, as the EP was recorded at Danny’s own Puzzlemaker studio in Bristol.
But enough of the English
lesson – what about the music?
Many artists hope to recreate
the studio quality sound when performing live.
In a way Danny does the opposite – he brings his liver performance
energy into to the studio and onto the recording. In each track you can hear the trademark
sound, which I have likened in the past to Chesney Hawkes! It has the same exciting energy, the same
clever use of sounds and effects.
The EP has pulled in a range
of musicians and features co-writes, but is of course centred on Danny’s
distinctive vocal style. As you would
expect from any Puzzle Maker release, the production is spot on, balancing
vocals with backing instruments perfectly – the subtle drum line on Good or
Gone, the exquisite steel on Its Too Late. Parachutes has a rocky, guitar driven edge,
but a surprisingly reflective theme to it – very cleverly woven into race car
metaphors. Senses has the pop country style we are familiar with when listening to
Danny’s music. These Hands strips
right back musically, which really suits the story being told about your hands
experiencing life’s journey with you – an unusual take but done well. Lights Of Our Hometown was previously
released as a single, and musically it acts to draw together all the elements
of the EP.
Danny takes song writing very seriously – as seriously as he takes performance, and every song on the EP has its own story – how it came about, why it is on the Ep and its own personal meaning. This whole work deserves a storytelling session in a writers round style. Its Too Late is obviously a very personal song, and one that I will be excited to hear sung with the extra emotion that naturally comes with a live performance.
Senses is
exactly what I have come to expect from Danny – great writing, superb
production, excellent instrumentation and on top of it all, Danny’s trademark “give
it everything” performance.
In support of the release,
Danny and the band are taking to the road this month with a mini tour taking in
Fife, Birmingham and Bristol.
Senses, the new EP from
Danny McMahon is available to download and stream from Friday 18 February
Find and follow Danny on Facebook, Instagram and on Spotify – and at his live dates (details on his website)
