Renowned Canadian singer-songwriter Mike McKenna Jr. has released his highly anticipated single “Grassfire” on August 16, 2024. This marks his first new release since his critically acclaimed 2020 album, At The Edge of the World. The single is a prelude to his forthcoming album, which will be launched in the fall of 2024.
“Grassfire” is a captivating blend of Folk-Americana, reminiscent of the sounds of James Taylor, City and Colour, and Wild Rivers. The song, co-written by McKenna and Makayla Lynn Parry and produced by Quinn Bachand, opens the new album with a poignant story about a love that ignites rapidly but tragically burns out just as fast.
Mike McKenna Jr. has become a rising star on the Canadian music scene, recognized for his raspy, soulful voice and his ability to weave captivating stories through his music. Born in Glace Bay and raised along the Mira River, McKenna’s songwriting is deeply rooted in his upbringing in the small-town industrial landscape of Cape Breton. Over the course of four studio albums, he has brought the nostalgia of his home to life through narrative, poetry, and true stories about life and death in Nova Scotia’s coastal, working-class communities.
McKenna’s latest record, At The Edge of the World, continues to garner significant acclaim. It has earned numerous awards and nominations, including the 2021 East Coast Music Awards’ Rising Star Recording of the Year, as well as nominations for Contemporary Roots Recording of the Year and Fan’s Choice Video of the Year. Additionally, the album was nominated for Contemporary Album of the Year by the 2021 Canadian Folk Music Awards and for Americana/Bluegrass Recording of the Year by the Music Nova Scotia Awards. It was also featured on the Bluegrass Situation’s ‘Class of 2020 Playlist, Absolute Best of this Year’s Roots Music Releases’.
“Grassfire” is a testament to McKenna’s storytelling prowess and musical evolution. The track sets the tone for what promises to be a profound and compelling album, continuing his legacy of evocative and authentic songwriting.
Review
ultimately short-lived. The song cleverly uses the metaphor of a grassfire to describe a relationship that ignited with intense passion but lacked the stability to endure. McKenna’s vivid imagery in lines like “Our love was a grassfire / Took off in an open field” immediately conveys the sudden and uncontrollable nature of the romance.
The chorus reveals the depth of McKenna’s internal conflict, expressing a desire to return to a past love while recognizing the futility of holding on to what is already gone. Lines such as “Somedays I wanna run back, give you everything I had” highlight the struggle between nostalgia and acceptance.
Overall, McKenna Jr. crafts a heartfelt narrative that resonates deeply with listeners. The song’s blend of lyrical vulnerability and simplicity captures the fleeting yet powerful essence of a love that was as intense as it was brief.
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