Album Review: Quinn XCII Sends From Michigan With Love

I had the privilege to hear Quinn XCII’s new album, From Michigan With Love, at a listening party, where he described how the album spoke to mental health issues and anxiety. Yes, this is becoming a “hot topic,” with some fearful over how a few approach it like a fad. Yet, Quinn XCII’s album shows that approaching the same topic, differently, is never a bad thing. 

“Abel & Cain,” “When I Die,” and “Sad Still” could make you leap up and down with how their melodies move like jump-ropes. By all means, Quinn XCII has taken everything we loved about his first album, The Story of Us, and amplified it. He realized its not about changing your sound as much as growing it, which is why there is NO SOPHOMORE SLUMP in this album. The record wafers soundscapes to crisp, sugared rhythms, and your ears find them absolutely edible. This young, Michigander KNOWS how to make a pop jam that might as well be signed, sealed, and delivered to modern radio. Yet, his synths and acoustic melodize to bring fun, but, his verses are trying to get deeper. 

From “Tough” to “Autopilot,” you get the feeling that Quinn has boosted the volume and tenacity of his beats because he has also opened his heart up even more. It is is as if his infectiously catchy hooks are a veiled introduction to verses that sing to being bullied by both yourself and others. Sometimes, it is hard to figure who has caused you more harm, but, even worse is the realization that the harm done unto you has been reflected in how you treat others. For the newly-engaged  Quinn XCII, he opened about loving himself, loving his future wife, and learning to love that the ride to “success” is good enough. There doesn’t have to be a “destination:” just a journey. 

You can’t help but bop to tracks like, “Life Must Go On,” “Werewolf,” and “Matches,” while Quinn XCII’s voice radiates a clear message: pick your heart back up so you can rise on up. Vocally, he gleams notes as if they should be polished like shoes before they step into your ears. Maybe, it was hearing him speak about the album, but I got the sense that a lot of heart and thought went into From Michigan With Love. At times, media/ listeners focus on a debut as an introduction of who an artist is, but the sophomoric record can be the real display of who they are because it is not about getting people to listen (debut) as much as assuring you have something to say. Quinn XCII does. For More Information On Quinn XCII And To Buy From Michigan With Love On February 15 Click Here.