When the Songland judging trio listens to a potential song, they nod, gesture, and physically react along. We can see when they acknowledge promise, hear brilliance, see possibility and catch honesty. They react to the layers and the known moments of intention.
With “What Makes a Man,” I felt like a Songland judge.
When a track draws you with piano keys (and the detailed hush of those piano strokes) and every 20 seconds manages to elevate again through layers of harmonies, instruments, and lyrics, you know you’ve stumbled upon a special track, not just for the audience, but for the artist too.
Released on February 25th, “What Makes A Man” continues Nealon’s shift to personal songs that share a narrative; the questions, curiosities, journey, and pressing revelations from his life. His recent single “Grow Up” has a double meaning now, as these songs too add growth and layers with every release.
“Everything that I have picked to go on this cycle of new music, it’s been very much I wanted to do something that makes me uncomfortable,” Nealon shared with The Knockturnal. It is possible, then, with “What Makes a Man,” that discomfort and beauty can co-exist. A song that shares vulnerability requires grace, balance, and a delicate touch. It reminds us that sharing requires an intimate and a complex launch pad. And it also needs reason and intention. “Everything that I write has intention behind it,” Nealon shared about his songwriting process. “I’ve just been really fortunate to have found a sound that I really enjoy writing as an artist.”
“You don’t know who’s listening,” Nealon reminded me. “There could be a queer kid in the south, that feels like they want to do music, but they physically can’t. I know so many people that have given up because they feel like they can’t get past a certain point. Because they don’t feel like they have the support that they need to do it.” Support can come in all forms, and in this way, a musical wrestling of questions, thoughts, and judgements could help others; assistance by way of this new musical change. The ability to establish yourself authentically both musically and individually is a gift, and one that Ryan is now able to share with us through his tracks. And for those of us listening, he has our gratitude.
“What makes a man
Someone to be just like their father
Grow up and love somebody’s daughter
And make him proud.”
The final line of “What Makes A Man” wonders what makes “him proud.” And while it is written to accompany “father,” I think both Ryan should also be the one who’s proud of this track. And maybe a Songland judge would be too.
