Alyssa Bonagura, Love Wins Review

by Amity Hereweard

Alyssa Bonagura, a songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, has spent the past decade fine-tuning a sound that reaches far beyond her Nashville roots. Her latest release, the EP Love Wins, dropped on May 3, 2024, and comes when the world slowly emerges from a prolonged pandemic. Given the anticipation surrounding Bonagura’s return to her solo career after significant collaborative success, Love Wins is a highly anticipated project, promising a blend of personal reflection and musical innovation.

Love Wins is a concise EP with a total duration of around 16 minutes, featuring five tracks. The album explores themes of love, resilience, and personal growth. Bonagura, whose career is marked by early success and diverse collaborations, continues to blur genre boundaries with her unique mix of country storytelling, rock & roll spirit, and Brit-pop influences. At 33, she is at a mature stage in her career, bringing a wealth of experience and emotional depth to her music.

The central themes of Love Wins revolve around self-discovery, overcoming adversity, and the power of love. Bonagura’s personal experiences, including her upbringing in a musical family and her journey through various life challenges, deeply inform these themes. The EP’s lyrical content is introspective and hopeful, providing a narrative of transformation and empowerment. Musically, the album features a blend of country, folk, and pop elements, drawing comparisons to contemporary artists like Kacey Musgraves and Brandi Carlile.

“No Stoppin’ This Train” is a solid country number about moving forward from a toxic relationship. With clever traveling analogies and a rhythmic arrangement mimicking the sound of a train with acoustic instruments, Bonagura’s strong vocals set a determined tone for the EP.

The title track, “Love Wins,” is a powerful, bluesy, gospel-inspired song celebrating the triumph of love over adversity. The backing vocals and uplifting message provide a reassuring anthem for those going through tough times.

“I’m Done” offers a mainstream pop-country track that is radio-friendly and emphasizes themes of liberation and fun. It’s a catchy, upbeat song about leaving fear and negativity behind. Bonagura’s vocals bring out the playful side of the melody and lyrics.

“There Was You” is a tender love song that brings yet another side of Bonagura’s versatile vocals. The acoustic guitar-led accompaniment, dreamy lyrics, and melody create a delicate, heartfelt track.

Closing the EP, “Never Alone,” is a building pop-country ballad with words of comfort and hope. Written from the perspective of Bonagura’s late friend, the song is a beautiful, almost prayer-like piece that provides emotional closure to the album.

Love Wins shows Bonagura’s unique voice and personal touch to ensure that the EP is engaging for country music fans. While “I’m Done” and “Never Alone” have a mainstream appeal that might feel more conventional, the other tracks offer a more intimate glimpse into Bonagura’s artistry.

The EP features the writing/production team called Hook Haus, who played a crucial role in bringing the project to life. The collaborative environment of Endure Studios, where the EP was recorded in one day, contributed to its cohesive yet dynamic sound. The experimental nature of the recording process, with Bonagura moving between different rooms and teams, adds an energetic and spontaneous quality to the tracks.

Overall, Love Wins demonstrates Alyssa Bonagura’s songwriting and ability to blend genres with her writing and singing. The EP’s strengths lie in its heartfelt lyrics, strong vocal performances, and cohesive production. While some tracks might appeal more to mainstream audiences, the album’s depth and emotional resonance are undeniable. Bonagura’s future trajectory looks promising, with the EP serving as a perfect appetizer for her upcoming full-length album. Fans of contemporary country, pop, and heartfelt storytelling will find much to enjoy in Love Wins.