Peter MacDonald
"Nothing"
Peter MacDonald, hailing from Syracuse, New York, is a singer/songwriter deeply immersed in the world of music. His lifelong passion began with the violin, but at thirteen, he fell under the spell of the guitar's enchanting allure. Pursuing his musical aspirations, MacDonald obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Music and embarked on a performance-oriented journey, residing in various American cities, including Chicago, Nashville and his beloved hometown, New York City. Recently, MacDonald unveiled a captivating five-song EP titled Nothing.
MacDonald captured my attention with the opener “Punching Bag” which is arguably the second best song on the EP. There’s nothing over the top here. It’s a fairly straightforward rock tune with classic rock vibes. The song is in 4/4 and MacDonald mostly sticks to major and minor chords throughout. I will say the guitar solo ripped.
"Far From Perfect" is a breathtakingly ethereal composition, exuding beauty in its uniqueness. Among the five songs on the EP, it stood out as the most original and inventive. The chorus, in particular, evoked the indescribable feeling I seek in music, immersing me completely. The song effortlessly weaves together different elements, and the subtle touch of new wave aesthetics added an intriguing dimension. I couldn't help but imagine the potential of a full album crafted in this style—a truly extraordinary musical endeavor.
Out of the five tracks, "Trap Star" stands out as undeniably infectious. While not overly complex, its simplicity is highly enjoyable. The fuzzy distortion instantly transported me back to the nostalgic vibes of the ‘90s. This playful composition has the potential to become a crowd favorite, with its sing-along qualities shining particularly in a lively live setting. It's a song that effortlessly garners appreciation and invites audience participation.
“Here I Am” is an acoustic number and has an earnest sincerity that was easy to appreciate. The guitar sounded fantastic on this song. I also thought the drums were very well produced as well. “I Want to Get Out” is the last song and also the most soulful. There are som inherent blues vibes on this song.
MacDonald seems to be flirting with a lot of different styles. I would love to hear him expand on the sound I heard on “Far From Perfect.” Anyway you slice it MacDonald can write a great song.
