Review | Myles Kennedy – The Art Of Letting Go

Napalm Records

Myles Kennedy describes his third solo-album as more of a “riff-based record” compared to his previous works. While his first two albums were concept records dealing with personal and global themes, `The Art of Letting Go’ presents a collection of songs with shifting narratives. Focusing on the intensity of the music, with compelling riffs and strong vocal melodies taking center stage, Kennedy takes a turn and descends into hard rocking territory!

BRUCE LEE

“I’ve been going through a massive Bruce Lee kick, no pun intended,” Myles states in the rider “His quote, ‘Be water, my friend’, always stuck with me. On a grander scale, it represents the record. It’s an exercise in removing prior restrictions and shattering the parameters I set up for myself as a solo artist, I just let go and embraced my essence as a singer, guitar player, and writer. This is who I am. This is my DNA. Instead of being apologetic and shying away from it, I’m letting go and being myself.”

Notable words from the charismatic singer that roamed the stages fronting Alter Bridge and Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators in the last two decades, with Kerrang! christening him as “one of rock’s finest vocalists”

Kicking off the album the title track instantly launches with piercing guitars and rousing vocals. Crunchy licks and droning bass at the helm, Myles Kennedy inserts the right amount of bluesy grit atop. The chorus is roaring and nests immediately. Cooking up the same rocking strut, ,,Mr. Downside” spits into action with Bad Company vibes and Cry of Love accolades resonating. Dense and with ploughing bass in the lows, the drums are dynamic and powerful. The vocals are on par with Myles launching it into the stratosphere. Echoing in the bridge and chorus, he emits tremendous power, soul and swagger.

GRITTY BLUES STRUT

The lead single ,,Say What You Will” is a smacker. Off the bat, it features a catchy guitar riff crafted around a heavy, distorted groove. The driving rhythm sets the stage for a powerful, impactful hook that grabs your attention. Myles crooning with persistence and power, he roars with enormous swagger.

,,Behind the Veil” pitches into action with rousing Americana hooks and bluesy cinematic turmoil kicked up. The heavy groove is Alice in Chains worthy, and the distorted wailing of the guitars are in line with the grudge of grunge, while Myles maintains the gritty bluesy strut channelling passionately melodic.

The same distorted accolades are present of the bass lick driven ,,Saving Face”, with its ponderous drums and edgy crunchy riffs. ,,Dead to Rights” is more anger-laden and build around a carcass of rhythmic dynamics and heavy groove with bass growling and the vocals scatting its agony. The power and prowess of the song and its melodic vocal delivery is jaw dropping. 

ESSENTIAL MOOD ELEMENTS

Scaling back to essential mood elements he explores melodic rocking territory on the mega nesting ,,Miss You When You’re gone” with its marching stance and clean weeping guitar. It nests on the spot and his vocal delivery channels the right emotions, checking all the boxes of superiority. Like a rejuvenated collision of Coverdale and Paul Rodgers with Joplin timbre thrown in, Myles Kennedy displays deep and rich timbre as well as melodic depth in his range. Less raspy in the lows of his emotional outpour, the emotions conveyed hit home. From this book the heavier hitting ,,Nothing More to Gain” brings a vibrant diverse tone to the front. Parading with heavily phrased vocals, the strut of the song is tremendous and builds into a great melodic bridge that transcends with reverbing parading tendencies and wailing guitars. Modern swinging blues swagger injected to run relentless. 

Absolutely astonishing is the heartfelt slow moving ,,Eternal Lullaby”, seeing Kennedy utilizing his most subtle register. Crooning with drama and raw soul channelled, the song is nested around the towering chorus, evoking a Thunder-on-steroids poise. Wailing with melody and drama it starts to whirl.

MYLES KENNEDY – THE CONCLUSION

,,How the Story Ends” concludes the album with throbbing bass and subtle guitar lucks underneath Myles’ roaring and soaring vocals. The colorful mood is swung high when it gradually picks up its speed and progressiveness before unloading an intense chorus that is brisk and powerful. Heavy rhythmic changes and a forte of riffs and bass are at the helm with Myles growing in his performance prior to the song building into its instrumental section. The guitar solo serves the outpour of emotions with pitching bluesy drama, bass and drums grooving heavily. 

`The Art of Letting Go’ is a welcome addition to Myles Kennedy’s solo discography, blazing with intensity and sincerity. With its focus on riff-driven compositions and Kennedy’s renowned vocal prowess, the album channels heavy blues with soulful swings of emotions around its grungy edges. Myles Kennedy hits it out of the ballpark with `The Art of Letting Go’. 

Release date: 11 oktober 2024