McKenna Hampton - Run And Not Grow Weary

McKenna Hampton

Run And Not Grow Weary
self-released; 2013

4.1 out of 5

By Eva Cantillo

Run And Not Grow Weary is an album from eighteen-year-old self-taught singer and songwriter McKenna Hampton. The artist seems quite unique as he was home-schooled throughout his entire childhood, and has come to love music and instruments. This album was recorded from his home in Oklahoma and each song has its own personality and you can even call this collection of songs spiritual. 

The first song on the album definitely conforms to the spiritual realm. “To Begin With Dust” starts off with a very deep horn-like sound that just continues on for eternities it seems before it is accentuated by nuance effects and sounds that kind of emulate angelic vocals. This is an acoustic track, which is different from the following track “And A Lovely Show It Is.” Right from the beginning the acoustic-like guitar lightly strums along until the vocals of Hampton are finally shown, and they are well worth the wait. The artist has a very slim yet heavy and deep ambiance to his voice that is so humble and modest while knowing there is a fire burning within. This song has some very lovely lyrics (no pun intended) and the addition of harmonic humming really adds character to the song.

The song that shares the same title as the album is a soft song with deep and meaningful lyrics. The vocals on this track are a bit heavier than on previous tracks and there seems to be a natural and pure atmosphere to this song. Within the song there are allusions of faith and the innate struggle for all of us to carry on, “be with me in the darkest time and lift me up above my hollow fears.” There are many metaphors of faith hidden in the lyrics of this song.

Hampton’s music can be classified as alternative indie folk. All of the songs have a slowed-down acoustic feel and there is a genuine aura of faith and lightness in each song. For being recorded in a home-studio, the album carries with it an air of high-quality production and every aspect of the songs don’t get a chance to slip through the cracks. This album is one to listen to by the light of one single candle, or of the pure white light of the moon, as these songs all evoke feelings of both darkness and lightness, yet they all have a happy ending and leave you feeling spiritually fulfilled.

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