New York City singer-songwriter Alwyn Morrison takes a more personal turn on Trial, his sophomore EP, moving beyond the romantic preoccupations of his debut, Heartsplit, to examine betrayal, inherited pain, judgment, and the difficult business of surviving emotional upheaval.
Across its four tracks, love remains part of the picture, but the focus shifts towards the consequences of our choices and the ways other people can shape how we see ourselves. The songs gradually form an unintended courtroom drama, moving from accusation to pretrial proceedings, verdict, and finally a closing order.
“Puzzle Piece” opens the case with a thumping beat and churning guitars, while Morrison’s husky, high voice delivers the lyrics with palpable tension. The central image of a missing puzzle piece initially suggests the comfort of finding someone who makes life feel complete. But that sense of togetherness gradually unravels into something much darker. What once felt like a home becomes a broken puzzle, with love and shared hopes giving way to betrayal, regret, and the painful realisation that some pieces simply cannot be put back where they belong. Its repeated refrain makes the emotional fallout feel all the more difficult to escape.
At the heart of the EP sits “Monster,” a far more restrained and vulnerable moment. Gentle, slow-strummed guitar provides the foundation as Morrison sings with a soft, defeated tenderness. Warm strings gradually swell behind him, giving the song a cinematic emotional lift without overwhelming its intimacy. The lyrics recount the pain of being judged for falling in love with someone considered unacceptable, and the devastating effect that condemnation has on his relationship with his family, particularly his mother. The repeated insistence that he is not a monster becomes an especially affecting plea for understanding and acceptance.
Morrison initially had no plans to record or release it, but friends who heard the demo connected with its message through their own experiences. Encouraged by co-writer Mike Ales, he eventually brought it into the studio, recognising that its meaning could extend well beyond his own story.
With Trial, Morrison turns personal wreckage into a broader reflection on judgment, heartbreak and resilience. Its courtroom structure gives the four-song sequence an unexpected sense of narrative purpose, while the combination of rock intensity and vulnerable songwriting keeps the emotional stakes front and centre. It’s a thoughtful step forward from Heartsplit, and one that leaves plenty of room for listeners to find their own stories within its testimony.
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Review by: Naomi Joan