From the bustling streets of New York City comes the compelling sound of Alwyn Morrison, an artist poised to capture hearts with his new single, ‘Chained’. This evocative track, born from a burst of creative energy on a transatlantic flight and crafted in collaboration with his friend Michael Ales, dives into the intricate emotions surrounding loving someone battling depression.

Recorded under the watchful ear of producer Michael Carey in Los Angeles, ‘Chained’ showcases Alwyn's talents in their purest form. We recently caught up with Alwyn to speak about the new single, his collaborative spirit, and the vulnerability he bravely shares through his music.

Alwyn, you've mentioned 'Chained' felt like it was already inside you, emerging fully formed. Can you describe that feeling of creative release on the flight to Europe, and how it differed from your usual songwriting process?

“It’s hard to explain, but I don’t really remember writing the song itself. What I do remember is this overwhelming feeling of needing to get those emotions out. I was traveling from New York to Amsterdam, and it was a hectic day. I barely had time for anything, but once I was on the plane, I pulled out my phone and started writing the lyrics. It felt like the song just flowed out of me in one go. Then, I fell asleep. When I woke up, the song was completely written, and to this day, it’s one of the few tracks where I didn’t change a single word.”

“The feeling was just there — everything I needed to say was already in the lyrics, and it still resonates with me deeply. It was one of those rare moments where a song feels like it was meant to be created by you at that specific time. Those moments are powerful, and you have to trust your instincts and let them guide you. Inspiration can’t be forced; it comes when you allow it to. That experience of creative release felt different from my usual process — more like letting something inside me emerge fully formed.”

The song deals with the complexities of loving someone with depression. Beyond the specific narrative, what broader questions were you exploring through the song?

“In 'Chained,' I wanted to explore the emotional and philosophical struggles that come with feeling trapped by your own emotions, past experiences, or relationships. We’ve all had those moments where it feels like we’re stuck, whether it’s because of our own battles or because we’re trying to support someone we love. The line “chained in a dark room” serves as a metaphor for depression — that feeling of being stuck in a place that’s hard to escape, both for the person experiencing it and for those around them. This song comes from a deeply personal place, capturing the intimate reality of loving someone with depression. It's about wanting to help, but feeling helpless because it's something you can't control. It explores the emotional toll that it takes on both sides.”

You and Michael Ales seem to have a strong creative synergy. How does your collaborative process with him contribute to the authenticity you aim for in your music?

“Collaborating with Michael Ales has been an amazing experience. The trust we have in each other is a huge part of what makes our work together so authentic. I can only work with people I truly admire and respect, both professionally and personally, and Mike is one of those rare individuals. He’s not only an incredible composer but also a brilliant all-around musician.’

“From our first songs together, like 'The City' and 'Chained,' to the dozens of others we’ve created since, our connection has allowed us to bring out the best in each other. I value his artistic input so much that sometimes I have to beg him not to change a composition, especially when I get really attached to the raw feel of a demo or the first guitar riff he plays.”

You've described 'Chained' as your most personal song. How does sharing such vulnerability through your music impact your own emotional landscape?

“'Chained' was the first song I ever recorded, and it holds a special place for me. While I had released other songs before, this was the first time I stepped into a studio and sang into a mic. At the time, I wasn’t thinking about releasing it; I just needed to get those emotions out. The songwriting process alone wasn’t enough — I had to vocalize it, to sing it out loud. That was a crucial part of the experience for me. I remember feeling really comfortable because I wasn’t concerned with perfection or hitting every note exactly right.’

‘I was focused on the act of expressing myself, and that release brought a certain peace. Sharing that vulnerability through music, especially with a song as personal as 'Chained,' does impact my emotional landscape. It allows me to confront those feelings in a way that’s healing, while also offering something that I hope others can connect with.”

The guitar-driven sound is central to 'Chained.' Can you talk about your relationship with the instrument and how it helps you express the emotional nuances of the song?

“I’ve always been a huge fan of guitar-driven music, so for me, the final track just has a different energy when it starts with the guitar, as opposed to something like the piano. With 'Chained,' the guitar plays a central role, much more so than in my previous single 'Lenox Hill.' While 'Lenox Hill' had more of a pop feel, 'Chained' carries a raw, rock energy, similar to my first single ‘The City’.”

“It brings to mind influences from British rock and alternative bands, and maybe even a bit of pop-punk. For me, the creative process shifts depending on the instrument that starts the song. When a demo begins with just vocals and piano, like with ‘Lenox Hill’, the vibe is different from when it starts with vocals and guitar, as it did with 'Chained' and 'The City.' The guitar allows me to express the emotional intensity and rawness of a song in a way that other instruments can’t quite match.”

Recording at Michael Carey's studio must have been a unique experience. Did the studio environment influence your performance and the final production of 'Chained'?

“Recording at Michael Carey's studio is always a beautiful experience, and it definitely influenced both my performance and the final production of 'Chained.' I can only work with people I truly admire and respect, both professionally and personally, and with Michael, I feel completely at ease in the studio. Michael embraces my spontaneity, which played a big role in the process. For example, after recording the lead vocal, I suddenly felt inspired to add some background vocals. It was a spontaneous decision, but I ended up loving how they blended with the lead. That kind of freedom to experiment is important, and I'm grateful that Michael is always open to that energy. The studio environment, combined with his openness and creativity, really allowed me to push the boundaries of the song and capture something special.”

You and Michael Carey settled on the first mix of the track. What specific qualities in that initial mix resonated with you, and why was it so important to preserve them?

“For 'Chained,' I really wanted to keep the song as close as possible to my original demo because that raw feeling was so important to me. Even with just an acoustic guitar and vocals, the emotion would still come through in the same way. I love when a song feels that pure and simple. But Michael’s production added a depth to the track that I fell in love with. You can mix a song countless times, but sometimes the first mix captures the essence — that almost divine energy — that made the song come to life in the first place. Preserving that initial magic was so important, which is why I decided to stick with the first mix. It felt right, and it stayed true to the heart of the song.”

You’ve shared that the emotional impact of 'Chained' was evident when you played it for the person it was written about. How do you hope listeners will connect with the song's themes, and what emotional journey do you envision them taking?

“Though 'Chained' is very personal to me, I believe its message is something that can resonate with anyone. We all experience times when we feel trapped by our emotions, past wounds, or relationships, and I hope the song speaks to anyone who has ever carried that weight. I want listeners to feel seen and understood, to connect with that sense of being stuck, but also to find a release in the music. My hope is that it takes them through an emotional journey where they can reflect on their own experiences and, perhaps, feel a little less alone.”

You mentioned that the verses are reflective and visual. Can you expand on the imagery you used in the lyrics and what those images represent to you personally?

“Many of my songs are visual and 'Chained' is no different. The verses, especially the first one, are full of strong imagery. I’ve always had a cinematic way of thinking and am naturally very visual. Since I was young, I’ve remembered the colours of objects and the details around me during important moments. It’s always been easy to bring these images into my songwriting. Most of my songs come from personal experience and in recent years, challenges I’ve faced have flowed into my lyrics. Heartbreak, like for many artists, has driven my creativity, pushing me to explore new directions in my music. My process usually starts with something small, like a line that comes to mind, a word that sticks with me, or sometimes it feels like writing in a journal, expressing hard-to-put-into-words feelings.”

Looking ahead, how has the experience of creating and releasing 'Chained' shaped your perspective on your future musical endeavours, and what kind of legacy do you hope this song leaves?

“That’s a big question! To be honest, with both 'Lenox Hill' and 'Chained', I feel like I’ve really opened my heart to the world. I wanted to share these songs with anyone who was willing to listen and learn about me, and once they were written, I felt like there was no choice but to record and release them. It might sound silly, but music has saved me and helped me through so much. It’s been there through the toughest times, as well as the happiest moments. If my music can do the same for someone else, offer comfort, reflection, or joy, then I’ll feel like it’s done its job.”

Ultimately, for Alwyn, the creation and release of ‘Chained’ marks a significant step in his artistic journey, a moment of profound personal sharing that he hopes will resonate deeply with listeners. As he looks to the future, this experience of laying his heart bare through his music has undoubtedly shaped his perspective, solidifying his commitment to creating authentic and emotionally resonant work.

If ‘Chained’ can offer solace, understanding, or simply a moment of connection for those who hear it, then, in Alwyn's eyes, it will have truly served its purpose, leaving a legacy of heartfelt honesty in its wake.

You can stream ‘Chained’ today, and be sure to follow Alywn today on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X.