We previously featured Alwyn Morrison’s cinematic and timeless masterpiece, Lenox Hill, so when we heard that the talented rising artist was back with Chained, we couldn’t wait to listen and share our experience.
Drawing us in with a dimensional, guitar soundscape with astral tones, Alwyn Morrison opens Chained with his signature vibe and textured vocal as he sings introspectively, “Cold air coming in, smoke going out, how many years, have I been inside cos you won’t go out?”
The opus expands with a situational tale, which feels poignant and rather sad. Speaking on the release, Alwyn confesses, “It’s about loving someone who suffers from depression, hence the reference to being ‘in a dark room,’ and how that impacts my own life – never wanting to leave someone behind, which also keeps me ‘inside of a room.'”
The star continues, “As much as I would do anything to cure that person, it’s beyond my control, and every attempt fails, leaving me helpless. The verses are reflective and visual, which is typical of my songwriting.”
“As deeply personal as the song is to me, I believe the song is universally relatable, as we all sometimes feel bound to certain feelings, life experiences, or people”, concludes Alwyn.
The subject matter is deep, but also relatable. Many of us know people with strong or mild depression where these lyrics feel real and tangible. The soundscape maintains the timeless vibe where Alwyn showcases his instrumental mastery and stunning timbre.
We learn that the heartfelt lyrics were penned during a flight to Europe. We appreciate the metaphorical depth and the poetic prowess that transpires. Again, the song is a perfect fit for a Hollywood movie. The chord switch up for the middle eight is transcendental and emotive, and the vocal harmonies are sublime.
On his creative process, Alwyn tell us that Chained was recorded in Los Angeles with producer Michael Carey, who has worked with Escape The Fate, Idina Menzel, Gwen Stefani, Robbie Williams, and many others.
This quality really comes through in the final product, and naturally, we have added Chained to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream the wider discography of Alwyn Morrison, including his debut single, The City and sophomore opus, Lenox Hill.
Photos by Denice Flores Almendares