Album Review: Scott MacKay, Stupid Cupid

Love, loss, and heartbreak take the centre stage in Scott MacKay’s third studio album Stupid Cupid. Siting inspirations such as Shel Silverstein, Hank Williams, Bobby Bare, and Roger Miller, MacKay clearly did his homework in crafting this collection of songs that balances classic country twang with woeful and witty storytelling. 

MacKay has jabbed his writer’s pen into his heart, but rather than bleeding ennui and despair, he reveals humour and levity. This love-themed album paints a portrait of heartache with comedic brushstrokes in notable tracks such as “Stupid Cupid,” “11 Yellow Roses,” “When She’s Sleepin’ She’s Cheatin’” and even dares to show some darker shades in “Half of Everything.”

As an album, MacKay maintains a consistent tone throughout, seldom deviating from quick-paced rhythms. As a collection of individual tracks, each song is a strong showcase of MacKay’s songwriting, reading like a love letter to a bygone era. 

The most fascinating track is the spoken-word Silverstein-influenced “God Walks Into a Bar.” The gospel theme is a dramatic departure from the rest of the album yet does not feel out of place. Rather, it indicates that there is more to MacKay’s stories than just Roger Miller charm but also a sense of weight and deep contemplation behind the creating of this album. 

Stupid Cupid was released January 8, 2021
Listen to it here