For his latest solo album, Sean McConnell took an intimate look at his life and the world around him. The eleven songs that make up SKIN are the result of both self-reflection and careful observation. They are revealing. They are honest. And, even though they are deeply personal songs, they are relatable.

The album will hit close to home for many of us, starting with the title track “SKIN” and the bittersweet revelation that the answers to life’s questions come from inside ourselves. Powerful lines like “there’s no peace without if there’s a war within” and “the greatest lie the devil tells is that he is someone else” are reminders that we are often our own worst enemy.

The day of reckoning when, after an unknown combination of years and experiences, you're forced to make a change is described in “Demolition Day.” Realizing that “when you’re 20, all your demons have a sexy kind of buzz” but “when you’re 40, it’s a way of losing everything you love” is the first step in tearing everything down and building yourself back up.

Not all of the songs are about celebrating how far he has come and sharing the wisdom he has gained from his experiences. Sean also recognizes the importance of continuing to grow and evolve. He touches on this in the song “Older Now” with “but I’ve got a ways to go / and in 20 years or so / oh, this man I’ve come to know / he will seem to me a child.”

Other songs were inspired by family and relationships. “Never Enough” is an ode to his wife and “The West Is Never Won” is a song of encouragement for their daughter. “Let me have the trouble off your mind” and “I’ll give you any peace I can find” from “Take It Easy Darlin’” is about listening and being supportive even if you don’t have all of the answers while “Southside of Forever” accepts that “not everything is gonna be ok.”

If you need further proof that Sean isn’t one to shy away from the sensitive subjects, you can find multiple mentions of sobriety, including “and when you’re not drinking / you can’t hide from your thinking / no, these eyes are open wide” in “Glasgow Rain,” and struggles with faith and loyalty in “Divinity.”

SKIN is a reminder that Sean McConnell is one of the best in the business at writing songs that encourage you to think and to feel. The album will inspire you to ask questions and search for the answers. One second you’ll be singing along with a catchy tune and the next, when the lyrics really sink in, you’ll be taking your own hard look in the mirror just like Sean did when creating these songs.

Find out more about Sean McConnell at the links below: