
Paul McDonald, who finished eighth on Season 10 of American Idol, has released his first full-length solo album.
He could have also celebrated a respectable showing on iTunes. Forty-eight hours after its release, “Modern Hearts” was still number 30 on the site’s singer-songwriter chart.
“It took me a few years to get this one right,” Paul says of the album on Facebook.
“It’s by far the longest and hardest I’ve ever worked to make a singular piece of art. I had to go through enough life, love, heartbreak, struggle, disappointment, forgiveness, and then a whole lot more of all of those things to finally get out of my own head and let this record free.
“It captures a transitional period in my life in a way that I could’ve never imagined. I hope that these songs will relate and connect with anyone that has been on a similar journey.”
In Paul’s case, the journey involved marriage to actress Nikki Reed, whom he met during his Idol run. They became musical partners too on a couple of EPs before splitting up in 2014.
As a results, “Modern Hearts” is filled with songs about recovering from a lost love. And about learning to love again. One of the most impassioned is the title track, which I’ve embedded below.
Paul had already released four songs from the album — “New Lovers,” “Hold On,” “Call on Me” and “Wildcard” — over the past year. He also released a music video for “Call on Me.”
“Modern Hearts” also marks Paul’s first full-length solo album. He previously released music with The Grand Magnolias.
He’s also embarked on a new romantic and and musical partnership with Emily Kinney. In fact, they’ve started recording music as The Sweetheart Deal.
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