The story of American singer-songwriter and pianist John McAndrew is one of those that reminds you of an imaginary ship that was on the brink to sink in a sea storm but found refuge, miraculously, in a sheltered windless bay at the very last minute.
McAndrew's storm, in that respect, has been blowing wildly for a very ample chunk of the artist's life on a personal level, where heavy drinking issues had almost brought to the ground the American singer-songwriter's health.
Then, thankfully, after a 12-steps recovery program that McAndrew is still following in these very days, John McAndrew rediscovered his inner musical talents, immersing himself in writing and recorded new material mostly related, lyrically, to what the artist has been living through his own skin in his previous downward spiralling life.
After an acclaimed EP of Americana style like the 2022’s one called Like We Were Made Of Gold, who obtained many accolades from the American Music Press and fans of the genre, McAndrew got even more confidence and belief in his artistic skills, to the point of starting working tirelessly on the making of a full-length album, which has now finally seen the light of the day and released via Quarto Valley Records, called Better Side Of Me.
McAndrew’s new album sees the pianist and singer-songwriter working with renowned producer Denny Seiwell on 12 tracks that delve, musically, very much in the history and tradition of Americana, through a blend of Soul, Rock, Blues, with tinges of Gospel and Folk too sparsed throughout the record in a very harmonic way, thanks also to McAndrew’s inspired vocal style and his exceptional piano playing skills.
From a songwriting perspective, it is crystal clear that McAndrew uses music as a therapeutic vehicle to help the artist unleashing his own emotions, through a variety of topics about life, freedom, companionship, compassion and self-doubts, topics that emanate, at every point of the record, honesty and heartwarming sincerity.
There are some little precious gems included in the whole of Better Side Of Me, like the tender If It Weren't For You, for example or the soulful Me, My Soul And My Heart and the splendid album title-track, which closes the record in a rather touching, intimate and classy style.
If music is indeed the perfect therapy to heal the scars that sometimes life throws at us, through Better Side Of Me, John McAndrew has certainly found the right remedy to heal said scars, through an intense, artistic medication that, evidently, does very well to the artist as well as, as our website is confident, it will do also to those that will choose to listen to this beautiful, precious record.
Better Side Of Me is out now and it is available to be purchased via Quarto Valley Records
