Jon McLaughlin delivers his tunes with a minimum of studio polish on Promising Promises. The album - a remixed and expanded version of his 2011 indie release Forever If Ever - finds the singer/songwriter taking an unflinching look at love's ecstasies and sorrows. His warm, earnest vocals are heard in bolder relief than on past efforts, thanks to his nuanced self-production approach. A lustrous piano carries most of the pop/rock melodies, backed with layered guitars and synths. The lyrics capture relationships in vivid detail, from unrequited fantasies (If Only I) to pledges of devotion (I'll Follow You) and post-breakup regrets (Falling). McLaughlin's yearning edge cuts particularly deep on bittersweet duets with Sara Bareilles (Summer Is Over) and The Voice's Xenia Martinez (Maybe It's Over). My Girl Tonight stands out for its hushed, tender vocal and sensitive lyric. Moving away from romantic themes, McLaughlin surrounds himself with an exuberant backup choir for the gospel-tinged number These Crazy Times. - iTunes
