Single Review – Matt McAndrew: “Counting On Love”

I’m sure I’m not the only McFANdrew that was a little miffed when Matt McAndrew didn’t win his season of NBC’s The Voice, but maybe him coming in as runner-up actually worked out in his favor. His first released single following his singing competition adventure, “Counting On Love”, is certainly more creative than what he probably would’ve been forced to put out if he had won and proved how much he much more he can grow as an artist off the show. He already impressed us with his vocal abilities from his blind audition singing Christina Perri‘s romantic ballad “A Thousand Years” to his original song written on the show “Wasted Love”, but this newest single is the only the beginning of his, hopefully, long musical career.

Musically, it’s obvious that Voice Coach Adam Levine slightly influenced “Counting On Love”. In fact, the funky guitars and electro-rock characteristics give off a Maroon 5 with a slightly more rock edge (or maybe a Lenny Kravitz for the modern era). Slightly distorted vocals add to that cool, eclectic vibe that he’s got going on, but definitely doesn’t take away from his vocal talent and actually makes his vocal sound more powerful than what was shown on The Voice.

Despite its title, “Counting On Love” is not the sappy love song that it sounds like it could be. The lyrics actually delve a little bit more into the message of having to sometimes make compromises (good ones of course) for the one that you love, which can be heard in the bridge “they say ‘don’t change’/if I don’t I’mma go insane”. In multiple references, McAndrew mentions how his lifestyle and decisions (“I can’t even fall asleep without waking up to trouble”, “…I stay up every night/get lost in the city street, try to find a different life/that’s not gonna mean a thing but a temporary high”) has been affecting his ability to find a someone who might actually be good for him. The chorus of “I’m counting on love/ to save me from this life I’m living/I’m counting on love/to show me everything I’m missing” proves that he is more than willing to change for the better for the right person.

“Counting On Love” brings out the musical animal that was always hidden inside of Matt McAndrew and portrays a whole different side of him that I as a fan would’ve loved to see on the show. It even has the potential to produce some rad remixes in *crossing fingers* near future. It’ll be interesting to see what he produces on his upcoming album and if Adam Levine keeps him under his wing I know he has a strong supporter for his team.

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