Marshall Potts is a singer-songwriter based in Kamloops, British Columbia. His music blends elements of Americana, country rock, and rock, creating a style that crosses genre lines. Known for writing uplifting songs with heartfelt lyrics, Potts brings together impressive guitar work and energetic rhythms. His vocals, both powerful and tender, convey deeply personal stories of healing and self-discovery, while also offering a message of hope and positivity that resonate with all. At its core, his music is about letting go of the past, reclaiming your strength, and fully embracing the present.
The album kicks off with “Free and Easy,” a song that showcases his husky, soulful voice and sets a powerful emotional tone right from the start. With heartfelt lines like “I need to feel, feel like I’m needed” and “Maybe tomorrow it’ll be alright,” the track builds a theme of perseverance. The keyboard, drums, and guitar blend together to create a rich sound that builds toward a reassuring chorus, reminding us that: “It’s gonna be alright.”
Sharing its name with the album title, “The Storm” blends banjo with rock elements for a sound that’s both earthy and electric. The lyrics, including “When the wind comes it brings change” and the repeated phrase “we are worlds apart,” speak to distance, transformation, and resilience. The song builds to a powerful conclusion, ending with the emotional line, “Didn’t I give you my love?”
“Change” offers a lighter, more hopeful tone, encouraging listeners to believe in a better future. The vocals are a call for action with lines like “We have to make a better world” and “It’s not too late.” The song carries an urgent but optimistic call to action with “We gotta change” and “Let’s get movin’,” eventually fading out on a note of determination.
Keeping the upbeat momentum going, “Let It All Go” is about releasing the weight of the past and embracing freedom. An energetic violin weaves through the song, lifting lines like “Climb aboard my heart and come away with me” and “Let’s be free, come aboard my heart, and let’s go home,” giving it a celebratory feeling of redemption and renewal.
With a lively beat, harmonica flourishes, and driving guitar and drum parts, “Heaven or Home” ponders an uncertain future with a hopeful spirit. The repeated question, “Heaven or home?” lingers as the music pushes forward, suggesting that even without clear answers, there’s optimism in the journey.
“Hearts In The Sky” starts and ends with soulful guitar plucking and sweet violin, wrapping the listener in a tender atmosphere. Lyrics like “When the healin’s done, do you know where to run” and “Our lives are one” speak to love, healing, and unity. The strings add a beautiful, emotional weight to this intimate track that feels like a truly deep moment in the album.
“I Like The Fall” brings a burst of energy and positivity, carried by an upbeat rhythm and firm, emphatic vocals. With encouraging lines like “We can be stronger,” the song feels like a call to keep moving forward and persevere no matter the obstacles, making it a truly uplifting moment on the album. “Rope” ramps up the energy immediately, giving the drummer a real moment to shine. Horns and banjo drive the song forward, making it almost impossible not to dance. The lyrics blend with husky vocals that create a gritty, raw edge to the infectious rhythm. Slowing things down, “Never Gets Old” shifts into a more romantic, tender mood. With lyrics like “I wake up in the morning to see you’re still lyin’ next to me” and “It’s like the first time I saw you, it never gets old,” the song captures the enduring wonder of a deep, lasting love.
The album closes with “Thank You,” a song full of gratitude and reflection. Tying together the themes of perseverance, love, and hope heard throughout the album, Marshall Potts sings about surviving struggles and cherishing the people and experiences that have shaped him. The heartfelt line, “So I thank you for the reasons/ I thank you for these songs,” brings the journey full circle.
Written by Alexis Gerbie