With What Happened To The Beach?, Declan McKenna invites us to join him on a journey of joy, introspection, and unabashed honesty.
From the streets of Cheshunt, Hertfordshire to the sun-soaked shores of Los Angeles, Declan McKenna's life so far has been anything but normal. The distance between his childhood home and the pulsating heart of Hollywood may seem great, but for McKenna, the leap was more than just a change of scenery, it was a quest for reinvention.
Upon landing in California, McKenna wasted no time immersing himself in the music scene, teaming up with acclaimed producer Gianluca Buccellati to make his new album, What Happened To The Beach?. Together, they managed to conjure a sound that mirrors the golden hues of LA's skyline and the dreamy haze that hangs in the air.
Gone are the days of frenetic energy and breakneck pace; in their place, McKenna embraces a newfound spaciousness and depth in his music. With tracks like "Sympathy," he strips away the excess, opting for a simpler, more soulful approach to songwriting. It's a deliberate shift towards authenticity, a conscious effort to connect with listeners on a deeper level. And still, among the sun-kissed melodies lies a subtle darkness, a reflection of the tumultuous times we inhabit. "It's An Act," the album's closing track, serves as a poignant reminder of the masks we wear and the illusions we cling to in our daily lives. For McKenna, this album marks not only a creative evolution but also a personal triumph over adversity. After grappling with imposter syndrome and health challenges on the road, he found solace in therapy, a journey of self-discovery that informs his music in profound ways.
In a world defined by uncertainty, Declan's music offers a glimmer of hope, a reminder to embrace the simple pleasures life has to offer. With each note, he asks us to shed our inhibitions, to dance beneath the stars, and to reclaim our sense of wonder in a world that often feels too heavy to bear. In the melodies of What Happened To The Beach?, you’ll find not just a soundtrack but a roadmap to a brighter, more vibrant tomorrow. And with McKenna leading the way, we're ready to set sail into uncharted waters, ready to discover what lies beyond the shore.