Justin McConville – Someone To Believe In (2024)
Known as a part of rock bands Uncle Rust and The Heavy Metal Kids, musician Justin McConville has skills in a group and individually. No doubt fantastic in the mentioned bands, it is McConville’s solo project we’re interested in today. Heading back to 2018, the Germany-based artist released his debut album Turn It Up to critical acclaim, and since then his various releases have continued to astound international audiences. From 2020’s A Matter of Form to 2023’s J Rock and the Dingy Tunes and 2024’s The End Was Always Coming, Justin McConville saunters across various rock styles creating a heavier, weightier, generational sound. One of the more recent additions to his discography is the single ‘Someone To Believe In’.
Following the well-received tracks ‘Denial’, ‘A Lifetime’s End’ and ‘Social Politics’, ‘Someone To Believe In’ is a step back to 90s rock. Breathing life into the sounds of yesteryear, McConville sends you off on a glistening sonic river. Comfortable and exciting, you glide through the shimmering surface with charming rock. Yet, as the classic rock guitars and bold drums bring a sense of warm solace with light ripples on that sonic river, there is a tumultuous wave of heavier tones lying beneath the surface.
Self-recorded and produced, ‘Someone To Believe In’ has a sophisticated elegance in its composition and arrangement. Then again, like the tumultuous melodic waves, McConville brings a blush of fragility to comfortable charm. Gritty vocals weave across the tune tying together the line of vulnerability and confidence in a rich, warm shimmer of sound. So, confident and bold but gentle and vulnerable, the rock-filled tenderness in its powerful tone smacks of duality in ‘Someone To Believe In’.
Despite McConville having a long history as an established musician, this is my first time listening to a Justin McConville song. Reminding me of days when I would play music while curled up on my bed with a cool drink on the side – not that I don’t do that today – ‘Someone To Believe In’ is perfect for any rock music fan. Even if you’re not a fan of rock, McConville will grab you with infectious vibes and possibly turn you into a rock fan. Highly recommended!
Find out more about Justin McConville on his Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
Thanks to Obsidian PR and Media for introducing us to this musician.
Discover more rock musicians on The Other Side Reviews Rock playlist:
