Jordan Walker and Johnny McGuire aka Walker McGuire made their first trip to the UK in October 2017 as part of the first-ever Country Music Week. I caught up with the guys while they were in town and their enthusiasm and passion for their music was infectious. The duo were one of the standout performers of Country Music Week and they showcased a knack for catchy radio-ready tunes. To kick off 2018, Walker McGuire are building on the success of their breakout single Til Tomorrow with the release of their debut self-titled EP.
The EP features 5 tracks, two of which were previously available as singles on iTunes. Of course Til Tomorrow is included along with the romantic mid-tempo track Mysteries of the World, which opens the EP. Mysteries of the World showcases the duo’s ability to tell authentic stories from the heart and it puts their tight harmonies in the spotlight.
Current single Lost follows next, which was co-written by Walker with Kristian Bush and Justin Wilson. It captures the feeling of falling deeply in love with someone and the rest of the world just fading into the background. The sentiment is one that is likely to hit the duo’s fanbase in the heart and it’s a catchy track. The uptempo 18 Forever explores the hedonistic nature of being young and thinking you know everything. It’s a relatable lyric that stirs up feelings of nostalgia and lost youth.
The EP comes to a close with the uptempo Best Kinda Bad, a song that explores the idea of a carefree woman who hops from experience to experience leaving men wanting more but moving on before they get the chance. Towards the end of the song there’s a nice moment where the guys realise they fell for a charmer and some of the oldest tricks in the book.
At the centre of the EP is Til Tomorrow. The song has amassed more than 22 million streams to date and it’s not surprising really. The lyrics tell the tale of moving on from a breakup, soaking yourself in booze to try and forget but realising the next day you still have feelings for your ex. It’s perfect fodder for a Country song and it captures an experience that we’ve all been through.
Walker McGuire’s debut EP is a solid effort from the duo. They have plenty of talent as both songwriters and musicians, and their harmonies are their biggest strength. I recall hearing some more uptempo and fun songs when the guys performed at Country Music Week and it would have been nice to have a couple of those included here. Let’s just hope it doesn’t take them too long to follow the EP with their debut album!
[brid video=”186637″ player=”531″ title=”Walker McGuire Lost (Lyric Video)”]
Track listing: 1. Mysteries of the World 2. Lost 3. Til Tomorrow 4. 18 Forever 5. Best Kinda Bad Record label: Wheelhouse Records Release date: 12th January 2018
