Our obsession with Alwyn Morrison seems to grow with every listen. We previously featured the talented artist for the deeply personal and highly relatable Chained, as well as the cinematic Lenox Hill, so when we heard that he was back with Turn All The Lights On, we were curious to say the least, and couldn’t wait to listen and share our experience.

Setting the mood with textured drums and a captivating piano performance, Alwyn Morrison opens Turn All The Lights On with a pristine pop vocal and his signature flair as he shares the questions, “How can you write a love song when your heart is broken? How can you sing and dance with so much left unspoken?”

We are immediately in awe of the intentional message of the song. It is about finding light in dark times. It starts with the struggle of heartbreak and the weight of said unspoken feelings. Alwyn Morrison‘s lyrics ask how one can create joy when life feels heavy, but then shift towards notions of hope and renewal.

The chorus offers simple acts as medicine such as singing loudly, dancing freely, and letting go of the feeling of sadness. References to pop icons like Whitney and Britney add a fun energy, reminding us that joy can come from self-expression. It’s about choosing brightness despite the state of the world – this feels extremely zeitgeist.

By the end, Turn All The Lights On turns toward self-love. It says the first step to falling in love again is through loving yourself. RuPaul would agree! Turning on the lights is both a literal and symbolic message – a way of stepping out of the darkness, rediscovering one’s inner child, and starting fresh with yourself!

Turn All The Lights On features Harlan Hodges on piano and Michael Carey on guitar, mixing soaring vocals with rock energy. It was released with Alwyn Morrison’s debut EP Heartsplit on September 5!

Naturally, the song comes with a high gloss music video, starring Alwyn as he brings to life his cinematic universe. It serves as a colourful and energetic celebration of diversity. Directed by the star himself along with Viken Kazandjian, it features people aged 23 to 83 – men, women, non-binary folk, drag performers, veterans, dancers, and actors. Full of joy and movement, it mirrors the song’s message of self-love, renewal, and community!

We have added Turn All The Lights On whilst we continue to stream the entirety of Alwyn Morrison‘s EP, and anticipate future releases from the star!

The post Alwyn Morrison shares his intentional depth with vibrant and empowering new single, Turn All The Lights On appeared first on KIMU.

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

The post Alwyn Morrison shares deeply personal and highly relatable new single, Chained appeared first on KIMU.

In an era where authenticity is often eclipsed by the manufactured sheen of pop music, Alwyn Morrison’s Lenox Hill emerges as a beacon of sincerity. A shimmering blend of synth-pop grandeur and theatrical storytelling, the song is a love letter not only to romance but to the visceral human experience of longing, devotion, and self-discovery.

From the very first notes, Lenox Hill envelops us in a dimensional, cinematic soundscape – a perfect candidate for a Hollywood rom-com synch deal. It does not simply play; it breathes, transporting us into a dreamlike reverie where love is as boundless as the Manhattan skyline. Morrison’s exquisite vocal timbre, both melancholic and hopeful, elevates the track beyond a mere pop ballad; it becomes a confessional, a shared heartbeat between artist and audience.

There is a profound theatricality to Lenox Hill, one that owes much to Morrison’s collaboration with Emmy-nominated composer Michael Kooman. Kooman, known for his work with Broadway titans like Patti LuPone and Audra McDonald, imbues the song with a poetic finesse rarely found in contemporary pop. The composition is sophisticated yet accessible, allowing its emotional depth to resonate universally.

The song’s structure mirrors the complexities of love itself – swelling crescendos of passion, delicate piano interludes of introspection, and a soaring chorus that feels like a cinematic embrace. Award-winning producer Michael Carey, whose expertise has shaped records for Idina Menzel and Pablo Alborán, ensures that Lenox Hill maintains a lush, organic quality. The presence of live instrumentation, particularly the standout piano work by GRAMMY NEXT participant Harlan Hodges, imbues the song with warmth and immediacy.

What separates Lenox Hill from the sea of romantic ballads is its unwavering commitment to authenticity. Morrison, a former music journalist turned songwriter, understands the power of narrative. His lyrics do not pander to cliché; instead, they reflect the raw vulnerability of love – its tenderness, its uncertainty, and its transformative power. The track’s high emotional quotient makes it not just a song but an experience, one that lingers in the mind long after the final note fades.

Drawing from the energy of The Cars and the emotional gravitas of The Cranberries, Morrison crafts a sonic tapestry that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly modern. The track’s dreamy nature reminds us of the purity of falling in love – the kind that makes the world feel wider, time feel slower, and every moment shimmer with possibility.

The song’s emotional weight is further amplified by its accompanying music video. Edited by Scott Mele, a director renowned for his work with music icons like Taylor Swift, Kacey Musgraves, and Aretha Franklin, the video serves as a cinematic visual complement to the song’s rich storytelling. Given Mele’s expertise in capturing both grandeur and intimacy, one can expect a filmic portrayal of Lenox Hill that accentuates its romanticism and universality.

Lenox Hill is an echo of timeless love stories, a modern classic in the making. Morrison has delivered a track that is as much about place as it is about emotion, intertwining the heartbeat of New York City with the rhythm of human connection. This is music that moves beyond entertainment and into the realm of the soul, reminding us that love, whether fleeting or eternal, is always worth the journey.

On Valentine’s Day, as Lenox Hill takes its place in the world, it will not just be heard, it will be felt. Naturally, we have added the opus to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream Alwyn Morrison’s debut single, The City!

The post Lenox Hill: Alwyn Morrison’s Cinematic and Timeless Masterpiece That Captures the Depths of Love, Longing, and the Authentic Human Experience – A Theatrical Ballad Destined for Hollywood and the Heart appeared first on KIMU.