M. Byrd releases his expansive debut album ‘The Seed’
With cinematic sound and compelling songwriting, the singer-songwriter’s first album is a full sonic experience.
Photo: Stefan Hobmaier
Garnering millions of streams on Spotify and praised by the likes of Live Nation’s Ones to Watch, Atwood Magazine and 1883 Magazine, M. Byrd has caused quite the stir with his entrancing songs, gripping cinematic sound, and deeply personal lyrics. On his debut album The Seed, the German-based singer-songwriter has not disappointed in the slightest as he again showcases his richly authentic sound in his best work yet.
Exploring a broad range of themes including mental health, war and friendship, The Seed consistently demonstrates the multi-instrumentalist’s ability to attentively recount stories and struggles from his own life, as well as from the lives of others, which allows his listeners to connect with his music on a deeply real level.
When discussing the album, M. Byrd said: “To me, personally, it was sort of a process of healing that I thought would be worth sharing. Listening to the whole album reminded me of holding a seed in my hands. It felt like the start of something and symbolized birth in times of chaos. The album, we decided, had to be called nothing more and nothing less — The Seed.”
It makes sense then that the first song would also be called Seed. As a brilliant establishing track that introduces the album’s cinematic atmosphere with big guitars and a sense of optimism, the song plants a strong foundation for Byrd to build upon, despite only existing in its short form due to the album’s recording being cut short by Covid. I don’t think anyone would be mad if Byrd decided to record a more extended version of the track now and, in fact, I think it’s what we’re all hoping for.
Like Seed, well-written, no-fuss songs very much define Byrd’s debut as he seems to take an old-school approach to songwriting – no frills needed – and it is in this approach that the singer-songwriter finds his sonic sweet spot. Tracks like Flood and Over You / Over Me thrive on Byrd’s musicianship, and will for sure go down a storm on the live circuit with their absorbing rhythms, compelling melodies and lingering motifs.
Anti-war song Gunslinger is easily a highlight within the tracklist, as M. Byrd reflects on why young people sign up to fight in wars alongside a twangy guitar and a rock sound that gently leans into country western stylings. Managing to say so much about the world we live in today, the song is genuinely captivating from the first to the last note.
Similarly powerful, but in a totally different way, Only a Feeling paradoxically expresses Byrd’s experience of watching a friend spiral through anxiety attacks in an energetic track that feels surprisingly freeing (although I suspect that may have been Byrd’s plan all along).
Yet, the album not only grabs you with its modern and intriguing songwriting but also pulls you into quiet and intimate moments on tracks like Pyrrhula – a peaceful delight which clearly highlights Byrd has real versatility as an artist.
Again, this versatility is shown on the album’s final track Wish I Was, sung as a goodbye to a late friend. The track is gorgeously reflective and deeply poignant, bringing the full range of emotions to the listener in little over half an hour, and at the same time strikingly concluding an album that is a full and rich sonic experience.
If this sounds like a bit of you, make sure to catch M. Byrd at his European shows this summer and autumn (and, of course, start streaming his music too)!
The Seed is out now via Nettwerk Music Group.