Review: "Guilty" - McKinney

McKinney layers her confession in dark undercurrent synths, thrumming bass, and the heavy truth in “Guilty.” McKinney’s latest single expresses her survivor’s guilt. She enters a crossover state between hyperawareness and rumination. Self-doubt and shame replace gratitude, and McKinney struggles with these uncontrollable thoughts. Raw moments are stomach-churning as she sings, “Feel my skin it’s tight around my bones/ I’m in my head/ Overthinking everything I’ve ever said.” McKinney’s fear is a rising concern—the world where we base our worth on what we do, and not just the fact that we’re alive.

The upbeat tempo and dark mood recreate the contrast between a standing survivor and these weighing thoughts. Mid-80s electronic pop synths and bass that vibrate through the speakers revive a sense of nostalgia—the desire to go back to the way things were. But there’s a twinkle in the production, as if she’s saying, no matter what, you’re worth living. The key to keep going lies in taking the guilt off your chest, singing out the bad feelings, and vibing to the next track.

McKinney experiments with different genres per track, but each song embraces sadness. The bass player and singer-songwriter blends the sounds from her BFA in jazz, her blues-singing mother, and her interest in classic rock. Growing up in West Virginia, she lived in a music school. Now, she teaches lessons at LEAF Global Arts. McKinney works shows at the Orange Peel and continues to release sad-pop tracks. Check out the links below to hear more.

Written By Taylor Sheridan Lempke

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