Jon Mclaughlin - Promising Promises Review

Promising Promises embodies McLaughlin's irresistible songwriting style and charismatic live performances. The album features songs all written and produced by Jon McLaughlin and was partially recorded in 2011 with additional material currently completed in Jon's home state of Indiana with his core band. At the heart of Promising Promises remains Jon's sweetly melancholy songs. McLaughlin was able to let his stories and characters live through painfully honest and telling lyrics. With Jon's lead single he returns to a more traditional view of heartbreak with the wistful "Summer is Over," written for a friend in the throes of a crushing break-up....full text It's safe to say Jon McLaughlin has had a pretty accomplished career so far. He has appeared in a Disney movie, toured with some high-end mainstream acts, and performed in front of 32 million at the Oscars. The singer/songwriter has been around since 2003, steadily releasing records throughout the years. His latest, Promising Promises, is exactly what the first word in the title says: Promising.

Promising Promises begins with the title track, and it's easy to see that the album will be piano driven. The song is extremely catchy and also shows off the vocals of McLaughlin. With some added guitars and soaring vocals, it sets the stage for the rest of the album. "You Never Know" follows and slows down the pace from the beginning track. The song keeps the piano while adding in some hand claps and guitar. There's a little bit of a southern twang to the track, which actually fits well into the grand scheme....full text Not to be confused with John McLaughlin, Jon McLaughlin is a promising pop rock artist from Indiana. Promising Promises is his third full studio album. He has been spotted on tour opening up for acts like Kelly Clarkson and Sara Bareilles. Along with writing and performing music, he also made an appearance playing a song for the Disney movie Enchanted, which led to a famous performance at the 80th Academy Awards. Jon McLaughlin has accomplished plenty of things at his young age of 29, and I strongly believe that he will continue to do so with his immense talent.

McLaughlin’s vocal range is showed off in “My Girl Tonight.” It is a slow, mesmerizing song with the perfect combination of McLaughlin’s vocals and piano. The random country theme carries on in “These Crazy Times.” McLaughlin allows his Midwestern roots shine through in this fun song. Promising Promises, the mellow pop rock album, closes out with a gentle lullaby, “Wool Over Eyes.” It once again exemplifies Jon McLaughlin’s lovely vocals.

I highly recommend this album if you are looking for a fresh face in the pop rock world. Jon McLaughlin has extremely talented vocals that deserve a listen from each and every one of you....full text Speaking from his home in the Midwest on a beautiful spring day, singer-songwriter Jon McLaughlin would strike you as a pretty relaxed guy. As he recounts his numerous accomplishments without any bravado, it would be understandable for McLaughlin to feel like he could coast a little as he prepares to release his third album, Promising Promises. Case in point: An aptitude for piano discovered as a child, submersion in all school related music programs, college to continue his study of music, cultivating a big online following in the early days of social media, scoring a label deal at age 21, inking big song placements on television and movies, a performance at the Academy Awards, selling 170k albums, debuting at #1 on the iTunes Singer/Songwriter chart—pretty heady stuff for a guy from Indiana who just wanted to be able to play like Billy Joel someday....full text