Being resistant if not fearful of change is common. What’s not so common is to speak about embracing change — and even less likely to actually do just that.
As with many things, it’s easier said than done, but the latest release from Boston-based indie artist Kerrin Connolly is certainly unafraid to give it a shot. A self-taught “DIY” musician, Connolly is known for their experimental style. With introspective lyrics and a noteworthy combination of traditional instruments and household objects, going against the grain feels second nature to the songwriter.
After getting started posting videos on YouTube, Connolly has been recording songs since 2019. The most notable single, “Fly in My Room,” has since garnered two million plays on Spotify.
Connolly’s latest album, Transitions, officially hit streaming services today, October 18th, 2024. With seven indie and alt pop-rock anthems, this album is a shift from the artist’s norm. Transitions is about just that — those little (and big) changes and shifts we make as life continues to move around us. This collection serves as a refusal to lie down and accept life’s monotony.
Setting the tone for the other six tracks, the album reveals itself with “Interim.” It’s a gritty number about those in-between phases of life and feeling stuck between where you once were and where you want to be in the future. Along the journey of getting there, one is likely to find themselves amidst “something before the real thing.”
No stranger to going against the grain, Connolly narrates the struggle with the uniquely titled “American Psomething.” In a world that values productivity and “doing the most,” pursuing a career in a creative field feels like a wrong choice, something conveyed through strikingly honest lyrics. Along the way, we often lose touch with the passion for what we love doing, as obstacles are sure to pop up. Paired with a healthy dose of Connolly’s earnest lyricism, this one has a slight dream-pop vibe.
The closing track, “With My Hands (Bonus Track)” presents an arresting juxtaposition of a rather jaunty melody whose lyrics speculate about giving up. Though it’s the shortest tune on the album, don’t be fooled by the seemingly simple lyrics. This one packs a gloomy punch. Brimming with impactful lines like, “A martyr to the circumstance,” this one is sure to leave listeners in contemplation long after the final note.
While life is full of unknowns, we must continue to move forward, doing the best we can.
To celebrate the release, Connolly will be playing a show in Cambridge, MA at The Cantab Lounge. The songwriter’s vocals are crisp and clear and sweet and gentle, yet hard-hitting alongside steady drum beats and earnest harmonies; a rapturous combination that will remain stuck in your head more and more with each listen.
