Johnny Barr Wields Vocal Fire and Passion in the Explosive “Break the Fall"
- STAFF
- 7 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
By: Staff
There are moments in music where a voice doesn’t just sing—it shakes you. Johnny Barr’s Break the Fall is one of those rare EPs that doesn’t merely impress; it overwhelms in the best way possible.
From the very first seconds of the opening track "Forgive and Forget," we knew we’d found something different. The dramatic drum and bass intro blends seamlessly with acoustic melodies that shimmer just under the surface, setting the stage for Barr’s voice to erupt with gravelly finesse and total control. His Scottish accent adds a textured layer of intimacy and charm that non-native listeners may not have known they could love so much—but will never forget once they’ve heard it.
His voice is raw, yet refined, and razor-sharp; it feels like a declaration. Each note carries emotional weight, and when he belts:
“Fight fire with fire,”
it’s not just a lyric—it’s a battle cry. The soaring vocals then cascade over gently rising guitar lines and crash into the listener like sonic waves. There’s a moment just past the one-minute mark that’s utterly breathtaking: a wall of sound, perfectly timed, that feels like a spiritual gut punch. His technique is as impressive as his power, with notes that rise like a hawk in flight and fall with the grace of rainfall down granite cliffs.
We couldn’t help but compare Barr’s control and ferocity to icons like Ronnie James Dio— as a testament to the same kind of vocal power and ability. His range is vast, his execution nearly flawless. One moment he’s delivering blissful, resonant melodies, and the next he dives into guttural growls with precision and passion. All the while, the instrumentation keeps pace, with chiming guitars, thunderous drums, and a bassline that anchors everything in place. And yes, don’t miss the brief but exhilarating drum solo that closes out the track—it’s a shot of adrenaline to finish what may be one of the most impressive vocal debuts we’ve heard all year.
Moving into "Remember to Breathe," the energy remains high but takes on a more urgent tone. Twinkling guitars race forward while Barr’s voice reminds us—insistently—to breathe. And you’ll need that reminder, because the track surges with such emotional intensity that you might forget to. It’s a song that unspools like a confession wrapped in a rallying cry, tackling fear and connection with unflinching honesty. As the tempo builds, so does your own internal rhythm, synced with every pounding drum and every soaring note. And again, credit to the production team—they’ve captured every nuance with near-perfect clarity, allowing each breath and break to land with purpose.
Just past the halfway mark, Barr takes things to a theatrical level. His Broadway-worthy belt could break glass, and it’s delivered with such conviction it becomes mythic. It’s the kind of moment that makes diehard fans out of first-time listeners.
Then comes "Cold Blooded," a masterclass in dynamics. Opening with a soft, almost tender delivery, Barr shows restraint—only to build steadily toward another vocal eruption. His raspy tones retain that signature edge, but here, they’re laced with vulnerability. The track plays like a short film, with moments of harmony weaving through sparse guitar and atmospheric production. As the song climbs toward its climax, the explosive:
“Bang bang bang”
-lands like thunder. It’s cinematic, emotional, and immersive, delivering more in just over five minutes than many full albums do in fifty.
And when the final track hits—"Break the Fall (feat. Calum Ingram)"—we’re not just fans anymore. We’re witnesses to something remarkable. Barr’s ability to shift from delicate falsetto to shattering sonic booms is nothing short of breathtaking. The synergy between him and the band is electric, and with Ingram’s feature, the track feels even more expansive and deeply rooted. It’s a finale that hits all the emotional highs and lows, wrapping up Break the Fall in a final, triumphant burst of sound.
Johnny Barr doesn’t just meet expectations—he annihilates them. Vocally, emotionally, and musically, Break the Fall is a standout achievement and one of the most compelling projects we’ve come across this year. This is a must-listen from a band that’s bound to make significant waves very soon.
Johnny Barr’s ‘Break the Fall’ is a cinematic explosion of soul, strength, and staggering vocal brilliance—one of the most breathtaking and emotionally gripping performances in recent memory.
Glasgow-based artist Johnny Barr is carving out a path that’s both personal and powerful. After years immersed in the live music scene, he’s now merging his passion for songwriting with an additional qualified career in music therapy—bringing a unique depth to his work.
“Break the Fall” emerges not just as a musical release, but as a pivotal chapter in his own story of growth, creative rediscovery, and emotional healing. The track was shaped during a transformative period, when Barr returned to writing as a means of confronting his inner doubts and reigniting his sense of purpose.
The collaboration with long-time friend and celebrated blues cellist Calum Ingram adds another layer of history and connection, while Barr’s band—composed of skilled solo artists in their own right—adds richness and nuance to every note. His writing process flips the script, starting from stripped-back acoustic sessions and slowly layering complexity, resulting in a sound that feels honest and fully realized.
From pressing vinyl with an eco-conscious Scottish plant to selling out a 500-capacity release show with full lighting production, Barr is not only making music—he’s building an experience. With songwriting retreats on the horizon alongside artists like Justin Hawkins and Kyle Falconer, the future is wide open. Johnny Barr is creating life-changing moments.
You can find this release on any major platform, make sure to playlist, stream, and share "Break the Fall" by Johnny Barr.