Recommended Tracks: “Look It’s Your Boyfriend,” “I Love The Animals,” “Cambio”
Artists You Might Like: Christain Leave, The Walters, Hey, Nothing
Inspired by his lucky four-leaf clover and driven by a desire to capture what it means to ditch the digital world for one filled with creative freedom and imagination, Peter McPoland created his full-length album, Big Lucky.
Making this project completely his own by producing, engineering and performing everything with an unique storytelling approach to songwriting, McPoland has made this album a reflection of everything that makes him him. It may be more fitting to say Big Lucky is the deepest part of him, who he is at his core. Exploration and inquisition are at the heart of this introspective 16-track album.
Touching on everything from childhood experiences to change, McPoland has woven together an experience that stands out from his past works thematically. There’s an ongoing search for clarity and a confrontation of the imperfections of both the weight and joy that come with navigating life.
Starting the album off with a bold, electric guitar strum followed by a hectic layering of chatter, fast-paced guitar picking and infrequent vocalization, McPoland introduces what seems like an inviting behind-the-scenes look of his warmup routine before going onstage to perform. The imperfections of the process are worn on his sleeve, alluding to the message that Big Lucky was not an overnight project but rather an artistic journey filled with harmonious discoveries of raw sounds and storytelling.
The 26-second “Intro” flows into the second track, “The Song,” which continues the momentum, but moves from chaos into an organized direction. All the pieces scattered in the first track have found their assigned places, settling into a composition that sounds more like a typical intro song. The two-track album opener is a taste of the folk-rock power McPoland is bringing back, but with some playful twists and experimental elements.
On the count of four, McPoland dives into an introspective dissection of his crumbling and strung-out self that is pleading for a second chance on “Look It’s Your Boyfriend!”. Trying to prove why he’s the top candidate for the boyfriend role, despite his imperfections, is the crux of the song. Characterized by a catchy, chant-like chorus, the narrative is centered around this chase for attention, which ends in a happily-ever-after of him finally getting what he set out for: one more chance.
Victory should be celebrated with a childhood story about zoo animals, a $20 bill and McPoland’s undying love for the gift shop. “I Love The Animals” is an ode to the magic and sheer joy the zoo brought him as a kid, especially when he was given money to fill his hands with treats for the animals or buy a shirt with a claw on the front. Although the pairing of a zoo-loving child and a $20 bill is a recipe for a pocket full of lint and crumbs, it does make for a great day at the zoo.
Switching up the sound by and pairing the rhythmic electric guitar with unpolished and layered vocals, “What You Do To Me?” creates a satisfying break in the album. The passionate lyrics, describing a mesmerized feeling of belonging to another, work in accordance with the song’s sonic environment, presenting a well-rounded track that does the message justice.
“A Lousy Soldier” is an attempt at chipping away at the introspective block, metaphorically describing what it means to be someone whose identity is largely centered around seeking answers to impossible questions. The wish to have the power to grasp the true meaning and purpose of it all sticks with the soldier.
To be human is to face time, whether that’s looking towards the future or sitting with the present moment. “Good Day” breaks down what it means to find peace in coexisting with time in a beautiful light. As specific moments are poetically shared to represent his personal relationship with time, a harmonica chimes in to add another emotional layer to the already vulnerable song, making it feel even more lively and human.
“The Biggest Question” addresses yet another complicated concept; one that doesn’t have a straightforward answer. Finding purpose while feeling detached from reality is a challenge in itself, but it’s one that needs to be faced. The dark and curious quality of this track makes the listening experience a little unsettling, as it prompts deep psychological thought with the chorus: “Answer the biggest question / I think it’s all up to you.”
“Last Looks” is an acoustic ballad that clarifies that now more than ever, McPoland needs outside validation that his new self is heading in the right direction. Reaching for guidance, he hopes to find that his fears are far from coming true.
In an interview with Melodic Magazine, McPoland said “Rats” is full metaphor. With the discussions of corruption, disorder, helplessness and betrayal in the lyricism, the song is a metaphorical depiction of society and how it’s a trap for those not in power. This folk-infused writing and performance style is a fitting choice for this theme, since it is more of a read-between-the-lines story than a simple critique.
After dissecting the troubling inner workings of society, McPoland knows it’s time to start thinking of the logistical side of how all this will play out in the near future. “Living In The Future” is one big call to action, urging others to join him in opening their eyes to what’s ahead. Just as this decision to continue forward is made, “Goin’ Nowhere” stops him in his tracks, flooding him with a feeling of being judged and unwelcome. All the progress made is halted due to the unwavering belief that there is no destination as his fate remains unclear.
The lyrics “It’s so pretty out here but there’s no way down / I’m fading and it’s starting to hurt” in the track “The Center Of The Universe” echo, but cannot be heard by anyone other than himself. Feeling the weight of everything all at once, the good and the bad, is enlightening but also consuming, as McPoland questions whether his curiosity has gotten the best of him. The piano-based song then transitions into the uptempo “Is It Not Still Pretty?” which once again questions the impact of change. Asking if a bird’s song has lost its beauty over time, McPoland wonders if the preservation of preciousness is worth fighting for.
As if the theme of change wasn’t already clear enough in Big Lucky, “Cambio,” the Spanish word for “change”, is all about transformation of character. The repeated line “And we change” is followed by “for the better,” suggesting McPoland is coming to terms with this concept he’s been exploring this whole album. Even if it does all end up crashing down, there will be a way out, making it clear that backing down isn’t an option.
“Roll Away My Stone” is the type of song that would be played during the end credits of a movie, providing a short and sweet last track to wrap up Big Lucky. Ending on yet another powerful, introspective piece, McPoland leaves the story open-ended. This song is a subtle call-to-action for his future self to “roll away his stone.”
This 16-track journey proves that the human experience is rocky, nonlinear and full of questions without answers, but that’s what makes it real. McPoland is no stranger to life’s introspective complications, facing the challenge of dissecting them head-on and creating a deeply vulnerable piece worth a million words.
McPoland is taking Big Lucky on the road with a 30-show North American tour that will begin in November 2025 and finish in March 2026. Join him and his friends in celebrating this new release, sing-along style. Purchase tickets here.
Keep up with Peter McPoland: Instagram // X // TikTok // Website // YouTube
