Taylor McCall, hailing from South Carolina, has announced the eagerly anticipated release of his upcoming album, ‘Mellow War,’ set to debut on February 2nd through Black Powder Soul Records/Thirty Tigers. Fans can secure their pre-orders for the album here.
The latest release, ‘Rest On Easy,’ accompanies the album announcement and stands as a tender tribute to lost loved ones. McCall, deeply moved by personal loss in 2022, expressed, “I lost one of my best friends in the world in 2022. When you’re an artist, it only makes sense to write a song about that person. It wasn’t contrived; it just poured out of me. It was cathartic. It was therapeutic. Fritz was the inspiration for this.”
‘Rest On Easy’ follows the earlier release of the album’s title track, ‘Mellow War,’ both exemplifying McCall’s captivating blend of blues-fueled Americana.
Explaining the significance of ‘Mellow War,’ McCall shares, “It’s about my grandpa and the battles I envision he dealt with while he was overseas. It’s hard to explain because these things mean different things to me every day. Ultimately what I think of the song is meaningless, it’s whatever it means to the listener and hopefully it is something that impacts their life in a positive way. That’s why I do music, to bring peace, healing, and love to the world.”
The album itself pays homage to McCall’s late grandfather, who graces the album cover and plays a pivotal role in McCall’s musical journey. McCall reminisces about his first musical memory, which stems from his grandfather’s guitar, a cherished relic that holds sentimental value. His grandfather also makes a notable appearance on the album, opening with a gospel on ‘Sinking Sand.’
“Mellow War pays homage to my late grandpa,” McCall explains. “The album cover is him in Vietnam. The video for this song is from the war in Vietnam. These are songs that are sort of letters to home that I imagined he might have sent. My grandpa was a life inspiration for me; it was bigger than just music. The songs are a tribute to everything he stood for and everything he taught me. It’s a way for me to share with him even when he’s in another dimension. This isn’t just about me or myself.”
Making waves internationally, McCall recently made his UK debut as a special guest on Robert Plant’s Saving Grace featuring Suzi Dian tour. He also headlined a triumphant show at London’s Troubadour, following in the footsteps of legendary guitarists and songwriters who graced the venue early in their careers.
Throughout the tour, McCall has been treating audiences to tracks from the forthcoming album, as well as fan favourites from his debut album, ‘Black Powder Soul,’ which features hits like ‘Red Handed,’ ‘So Damn Lucky,’ and ‘Highway Will.’ Rolling Stone praised McCall’s debut as a “brooding debut…spooky percussion and a vocal rumble reminiscent of Johnny Cash’s version of ‘God’s Gonna Cut You Down.'”
Since discovering his voice in his late teens, McCall has steadily built a strong fanbase. His debut EPs showcased his talent as both a musician and songwriter, with captivating tracks like ‘Jericho Rose,’ ‘Quartermaster,’ ‘Waccamaw Drive,’ and ‘The Devil Wants To Dance Again’ amassing an impressive 26 million plays to date.
As a South Carolina native, avid outdoorsman, and fisherman, McCall’s music effortlessly merges unique musicianship with a powerful and resonating voice. ‘Mellow War’ is a testament to his depth of character that transcends his age, showcasing a soul beyond his years.
