Today, we're debuting the new Christmas song from up and coming Indie Rock artist Morgan Shaughnessy. Morgan's a popular favorite in and around her native Atlanta. She is a self-taught multi-instrumentalist and a gifted songwriter. Raised on the New Wave and Alternative music of the eighties and nineties, she's in her wheelhouse in an Indie Rock setting, but she's a musical sponge and you can hear tinges of Folk, Hip-Hop, Psych, Jazz and more in her songs.
Thanks to the age we live in, where artists have the freedom to record and release their own music and reach the world online, Morgan is doing just that with her debut EP "Makeout Scars and Breakout Stars". The EP was released in May (I believe), but Morgan re-released a new version a few weeks ago. See, Morgan had a Christmas song up her sleeve. In addition to Morgan's all new holiday track, "Pretty Colored Lights", the new edition of "Makeout Scars and Breakout Stars" contains radio and family friendly versions of "February Moon" and "Borrowed + Blue"--two of her most popular songs--which appeared on the original EP with explicit lyrics. Expletives aside, Morgan's lyrics are filled with vivid imagery and a quiet spirituality. It should probably also be noted that Morgan is wheelchair bound and, in a year that saw several long bouts of illness, "Makeout Scars And Breakout Stars" was recorded from her bed. I mention that because it shows passion and commitment. But I'm not about the backstory; I'm all about the music. Ultimately, the music has to stand on its own and Morgan's does.
I dug "Pretty Colored Lights" as soon as I heard it. The song captures the essence of Christmas with both its words and its music. Or, to be fair, one of the essences of Christmas as its such a multi-faceted holiday. There's a wonder and awe to the song that's palpable. When Morgan sings "I wanna know how far this goes", I'm right there with her. I'm seeing what she sees and feeling what she feels. That's the mark of a great songwriter. And my guess is that "Pretty Colored Lights" would translate well to covers by other artists and interpretations in other genres. That's the mark of a great song. "Pretty Colored Lights", as noted, is available on the Holiday Bonus Track Version of "Makeout Scars And Breakout Stars", available through Amazon, iTunes, CD Baby and, I'm sure, lots of other online retailers. Looks like you can get it a la carte, but I recommend the entire EP. And you can keep up with Morgan Shaughnessy at her website and Facebook.
Morgan's debut EP is a triumph, as far as I'm concerned, but I anxiously look forward to her next recordings. I just can't wait to see how far she goes.