Duff McKagan - This Is The Song EP (2023) Hi-Res

DUFF MCKAGAN IS helping to raise attention for Mental Health Awareness Month with “This Is the Song,” the Guns N’ Roses bassist’s first new solo recording since 2019’s Tenderness album. “This is the song that’s gonna save my life as I scrape for sanity,” he croons while strumming an acoustic guitar. “Tried Lexapro and what else I don’t know, but still they can’t agree.” The track slowly builds into a swaying, multilayered ballad as McKagan sings, “Come along with me/We’ll get stronger,” before ending on a hopeful note.

The track leads a new EP, also titled This Is the Song, that McKagan recorded with producer Martin Feveyear (Mark Lanegan, Brandi Carlile). The other tracks on the record, available now on streaming services, are “Pass You By” and “It Can’t Come Too Soon.” Both continue the countryish acoustic direction of the title track, and the latter features a guest appearance by singer Shaina Shepherd.

“This Is The Song” was written in the midst of a panic attack,” says McKagan. – I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t see anything in front of me, but fortunately, an acoustic guitar became my salvation. If you have never experienced such things, consider yourself lucky. But for those of you who understand what I'm talking about, I want to say: YOU ARE NOT ALONE!”