By: Paul K. Barnes
We’ve all been in relationships, and some of them caused more hazards than happiness. Will Preston’s latest single, “Merry Go Round,” discusses the former through an R&B pop-infused soul ballad that captures the cycle of toxic love. The track’s lyrics are meant to resonate with the listener as Will’s vocals croon over spacey atmospheric production.
Songs about toxic love are just as popular today as songs about the joy of love. Different generations gravitate towards different perspectives on love, and with “Merry Go Round,” Will reflects the on-and-off cycle that many twentysomethings can relate to. With its layered background vocals and analogies, Will’s song brings to mind the imagery associated with its title through clever repetition of “Here we go again,” a phrase often said in moments of undesirability and dissatisfaction with a situation.
One of Will Preston’s greatest strengths as an artist is his songwriting and storytelling ability. By approaching the topic of love from different perspectives, he’s been able to create songs that people have personally said captured their story. Something that stuck out to me was Will speaking of “getting into character” when he wrote his music. By combining his life situations with situations he’s witnessed other people go through, he can craft various narratives that capture the wide-ranging realm of what love has been for people. This practice extends to his writing process’s mental and literal aspects. When writing about the less-than-stellar side of love, Will will often write in a dimly lit room to truly enhance the feelings associated with those emotions.
“You write how you get inspired, and when that concept or feeling hits you, you just have to go for it and assess the environment so it evokes the feelings you’re trying to capture,” he said.
Will’s track “Merry Go Round” is a direct contrast to another track in his discography, “I’ll Give It Right Back”, which celebrates a relationship rekindling and things working out. This type of range is another testament to Will’s songwriting ability and how he can capture various perspectives around love.
“I’m an observer of life, people, situations, and relationships… there’s there are so many different avenues to approach love. I’m inspired by so much, but love gives me a lot of inspiration to write.”
As a songwriter who focuses on love, the emotional aspect of the song’s story is a key factor. R&B is a genre known for its emotional power, and longtime listeners can often recall how artists would figuratively beg their lovers to return to them on songs. The power of vulnerability and emotional weight throughout all these songs makes them resonate with so many people. Will is well aware of this and channels it in his music.
“I’m navigating my own emotions and pairing them with others. It’s not hard for me because I truly feel it; it’s cathartic for me. There’s a little piece of me in every song. People will tell me a song feels like I wrote it just for them. And my response is – ‘I did.’ I’m just a vessel to carry a message.”
The year 2025 is special for Will Preston as it marks 20 years since his debut project, It’s My Will. He has some things planned for this year to celebrate that and also plans to drop a project in April, which “will include Merry Go Round.””
Will Preston’s single “Merry Go Round” is available on streaming services now, and you can check out his clothing line at mybestinterestapparel.com
You can keep up with Will on the following platforms.
Website: willpreston.com
Published by Kaye A.
