Bold, Western, and Funky: Big Lucky is Peter McPoland’s Most Charming Work Yet
Words by Sydney Po
Get ready to embark on a bold, western, and folky journey with Peter McPoland’s latest album, Big Lucky. After taking time off the internet to reflect on his life, songwriting, and childhood, McPoland is back with some of his freshest and most ingenious work yet. The charming storytelling throughout the album is enough to draw in any new listener, especially if you are into that '60s folk rock sound. Following the success of his debut album, Piggy, McPoland has returned to the scene with a completely different sound, and we are all better for it.
With a quick release cycle, only releasing one single titled “Last Looks” a month before the album came out, McPoland strays away from the flashiness we all might be used to at this point when artists announce new music. His authenticity throughout this entire process has been a breath of fresh air, and this sentiment is translated well within the content of the album.
Thematically, this album leaves no stone unturned. There are ideas of introspection, change, and nostalgia running throughout. In particular, it’s apparent to listeners that McPoland wanted to open up a conversation about religion and how complicated it can be, and he has done that beautifully here. A personal favorite of mine is “Goin’ Nowhere,” and how it’s just brimming with that western, divine twang. You can’t help but imagine you’re taking a long trip through a hot desert, singing this song as if it were a folk tale passed down from an older generation. It’s a powerful song, urging those listening to question their own faith, especially in the lyrics, “Is the good Lord coming to save my soul? / Is the devil doing his will?” These lyrics strike intensely, leaving you to question who is truly in control of your life. Even if you aren’t particularly religious, the storytelling in the song is enough to draw listeners in with its compelling imagery and melody.
I personally love it when artists write about the difficulties of change because it reminds me that this scary fact of life is not something that needs to be done alone. A song that stood out to me was “Cambio,” with its heart-wrenching lyrics: “And we change, we change, we change together / We change, we change, we change for the better.” It’s such a simple statement, yet I felt as if McPoland had stabbed a dagger into my chest during my first listen. He presents a powerful comment on change and how life is never stagnant, which is both scary and reassuring. It’s about understanding that nothing is ever set in stone, and we as humans have the ability to make changes for the better. This song is sure to stay on repeat, especially as I am doing my best to navigate my senior year of college. Thank you, Peter. I needed this reminder.
“Roll Away My Stone” concludes this absolutely cinematic experience with a short, final reflection. It seems that McPoland is asking his future self, after everything is said and done, “Will you roll away my stone?” This song is truly open to interpretation, leaving the listener to reflect on the journey the album has taken them on.
Throughout his adventure to find a new sound, McPoland’s ambition is evident. He tackled this project head-on, digging deep into his own past experiences, relationships, and self-identity to draw creative inspiration. Big Lucky is a cohesive story of transformation, reflection, and reveling in the human condition.
I highly recommend this album to anyone seeking to embark on a poetic adventure, unafraid to confront life’s more intimidating features. Speaking of embarking on adventures, McPoland is about to take on his tour of the United States in November immediately followed by a UK/EU leg. I am so eager to hear how he ties together his vastly different projects into one cohesive show. Nevertheless, I fully believe that audiences are in for a captivating performance.
