SINGLE REVIEW: Campbell McNeil - Strength

‘Strength’ is more than just a song—it’s a tribute, a cathartic outpouring, and an act of sheer perseverance. When Campbell McNeil lost his best friend and collaborator last October, with their recording nearly finished, the weight of grief could have been enough to stop everything in its tracks. Instead, he chose to push through, rebuilding the track from scratch in an unfamiliar studio, surrounded by strangers, determined to honour his friend’s memory the only way he knew how. That sense of determination pulses through every moment of ‘Strength’, making it as much about carrying on as it is about loss.

McNeil’s voice is gripping in its honesty, carrying a perfectly imperfect grit that makes every word feel lived-in. He doesn’t overreach for emotion—he just lets it sit in his delivery, raw and real. The alt-rock instrumentation behind him feels just as resolute, packed with hook-heavy riffs and a classic, confident sound that balances brightness with a hefty, grounded weight. There’s melody in abundance, but it’s never lightweight—every chord feels purposeful, thick with meaning. The words themselves hit hard, carrying the full weight of heartbreak with a quiet dignity that lingers in every line.

The song builds with a steady force, never tipping into melodrama but always carrying an undercurrent of something bigger. The guitars surge, the melodies soar, and at its peak, ‘Strength’ becomes something grand—melodic, heartfelt, and utterly powerful. It never loses itself in despair, though; there’s a brightness beneath the weight, a sense that pushing forward is just as important as looking back.

McNeil has turned devastation into something truly moving, crafting a song that doesn’t just sit in grief but channels it into a striking, deeply human piece of music. ‘Strength’ is as much about resilience as it is about loss, and in the end, it feels like the kind of tribute that could only come from a place of absolute sincerity. It’s a stunning effort that, without a doubt, would have made his friend proud.