[INTERVIEW] Micky James Talks New EP “Loner of the Year”

NYC-based artist Micky James has been captivating audiences with an electrifying pop-rock fusion and an enthralling stage presence that has been compared to that of some of the most legendary music figures in history: David Bowie, Freddie Mercury, and Steven Tyler.

Yeah. He’s that good.

Last week, the rising rock star, who modernizes the defining characteristics of ‘60s and ‘70s rock bands in everything from his gleaming compositions to his effortlessly cool fashion choices, arrived with the release of his new EP “Loner of the Year,” adding one more notch in his belt of tremendous accomplishments, which include numerous festival performances and an opening spot on Joe Perry’s recent solo tour.

For those who have felt like loners all their lives, the EP’s title is immediately relatable and downright alluring, stirring incredible curiosity in regard to what the tracklist has in store.

And all listeners are sure to become enamored, as the five-track project, which had been in development since 2020, showcases James’s seductive, gritty glamor alongside glistening threads of sonic and lyrical nostalgia, diving deep into the personal experiences and insights he discovered after taking the time to ponder his life so far.

“Most of the songs on the EP came from a reflective place,” James shared with Musical Notes Global. “For myself, there was a lot of time during that year to reflect on the past and acknowledge some of the holes that I needed to patch up internally. I've always had the idea of packaging these songs into a body of work because of the time in which I wrote them, so when the concept came to be of putting an EP together a little less than a year ago, it felt necessary to let these songs see the light of day.”

A welcome companion as we make our way through 2023, “Loner of the Year” also includes the shimmering title track, a high-energy exploration of mental health and loneliness that will remind fans everywhere that they are not alone in what they may find themselves battling against every day, and that there is a way forward that will allow them to remain true to who they are. “I want people to know that it’s important to embrace all of the things that make each and everyone of us unique,” James revealed. “It can be frightening sometimes to free our most authentic selves, only by carving our own path can we feel truly liberated.”

During the last few years, the overwhelming feeling of isolation has loomed heavy around us, and as a society, we have suffered through tremendous loss and grief, in addition to facing an alarming abundance of unknowns as a result of a historic global pandemic. Through songs like “New York Minute” (a tribute to the Big Apple), “James Brown,” and “Losing You,” James has managed to capture this at times paralyzing sense of gloom and doom while filtering it through a glittering lens, not only making that pain and turmoil a bit more bearable, but even perhaps not so scary to confront. “I want this to sound like a party record for the loners,” he said. “This EP that I’ve put together feels like a byproduct of the past two and a half years and how that has impacted me today, exploring concepts of loss, longing and mental health.”

Always a thrill, with “Loner of the Year,” Micky James has solidified his position as one of the most exciting new rock stars today. And he’s just getting started.

Stream “Loner of the Year” now on Spotify.

For all of Micky James’s latest news and updates, follow him on social media:

Facebook: facebook.com/MickyJamesMusic

Instagram: @themickyjames

Twitter: @MickyJamesMusic

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