Jon McLaughlin has released a solo piano video for "Promising Promises," the title track from his most recent third full-length piano driven album, which was released on May 22. It's safe to say that McLaughlin has had a pretty accomplished career so far. The Hoosier piano-man has appeared in a Disney movie, toured with some high-end mainstream acts, and performed in front of 32 million at the Oscars. The 29-year-old Indiana-born singer/songwriter has been around since 2003, steadily releasing records throughout the years.Opening with the title track, "Promising Promises," a piano tour-de-force, McLaughlin clearly emonstrates his ability to write a great pop tune as the tune builds to a triumphant chorus that will not leave your head. The "Promising Promises" is extremely catchy and also shows off his sheer and raw talent through instruments and vocals. With some added guitars and soaring vocals, it sets the stage for the rest of the album. The result is his most authentic album yet, and "Promising Promises," is exactly what the first word in the title says: Promising.
"Promising Promises" embodies McLaughlin's irresistible songwriting style along with his sweetly melancholic approach to storytelling. As he explains, "It feels really good to have a record that I'm working on that I can really deliver wholeheartedly knowing that the fans are getting a piece of me." He continues, "There isn't a note on the record that I didn't spend hours scrutinizing over, or at the very least sitting with and playing over and over again. I feel like it's a real connection to me."
Consistently, throughout this album, McLaughlin delivers great imagery in his lyrics and interesting, heartfelt, and complex piano parts, "Promising Promises," is an interesting test for a reviewer to tackle. If you're looking for a blatant God-centered message throughout the record, it's just not that obvious. But if you're looking for good, pure, and quality music from an up-and-coming musician, I highly suggest picking this up and giving it a listen. If you don't enjoy it the first time, give it another shot. This combined effort of guitar, piano, and pop will grow on you.
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