In “If I’m Being Honest,” Mitch Linker delivers the kind of emotionally honest, mid-tempo anthem that could easily sit on a playlist between OneRepublic and The Fray. From the first verse, Linker’s voice, earnest, raspy, and strikingly distinct, draws you in with an intimacy that feels both personal and universal.
The song builds with a steady pulse, and when the chorus hits, it soars. This is no stripped-back confessional; it’s a full-bodied pop-rock moment with big guitars, layered harmonies, and a hook that lingers. Think the emotional immediacy of James Bay fused with the radio-readiness of early John Mayer, wrapped in the atmospheric swell of Keane.
https://open.spotify.com/track/7CkHYVYiC6Jg52MULovlrp
But what sets this track apart is the personality in Linker’s delivery. There’s a slight tension in his vocal phrasing, like he’s holding back just enough emotion to keep from unraveling. It’s refreshing in a world of overproduced pop. The electric guitar work adds just the right grit, cutting through the glossy production with urgency.
“If I’m Being Honest” doesn’t reinvent the genre, but it doesn’t need to. It’s a strong, well-crafted, emotionally satisfying single from an artist who sounds like he’s just getting started.