Madison McFerrin
“Ain’t It Nice”
Independent release – buy it on her Bandcamp!
It sounds like warm, fat raindrops of synth opening up Madison McFerrin’s “Ain’t It Nice,” from the excellent sophomore album Scorpio.
“Come fall under my spell and I’ll make sure you’re satisfied.”
That’s a lyric that could sum up the whole album.
But let's take it back to the beginning. Madison has been a favorite of mine since her 2018 track “Insane.” That track is the ultimate showcase of her voice, using layer after layer of her vocal to create this entrancing acapella ode to falling in love.
It’s no surprise she’s got the vocal talent she has. She’s the daughter of Bobby McFerrin, whose own acapella track “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” is the only acapella track to ever reach #1 on the charts in the United States. (If you only know Bobby from this song, do yourself a favor and seek out his live vocal improvisations and recordings.)
Madison’s last album, in 2023, I Hope You Can Forgive Me, was one of my favorites of the year, too.
With her latest, you can hear the evolution as an arranger and songwriter. She’s growing as an artist and through her own personal life, weathering a break-up and putting that love and loss down on the album Scorpio.
As “Ain’t It Nice” slowly unravels itself, it goes from gentle raindrops opening up the track to Stevie Wonder-approved funky synths starting to add some weight and danceability to the whole affair (even if there is a bit of love and heartbreak on this album, it can still be fun).
Madison is currently touring the country behind her latest effort. She’s a wonder to see live and it's an extra special occasion if she’s got a full band with her. Add “Ain’t It Nice” to your playlist and get some tickets the next time she’s in town. In the meantime, her NPR Tiny Desk performance can hold you off.
