Legendary rock and power-pop singer-songwriter Donnie Vie has shared the title track from the upcoming wide re-release of his solo album Beautiful Things. The record, which originally saw a limited, hard-to-find release in 2019, is getting a massive global push on July 31 via Little Steven Van Zandt’s Wicked Cool Records.
Known as the iconic founding voice and primary songwriting mastermind behind Enuff Z’Nuff, Vie has spent over four decades building a reputation defined by Beatle-esque melodic pop hooks interlaced with a gritty rock attitude. However, the emotional landscape of Beautiful Things represents a stark departure from the heavy psychological struggles that often characterized his previous work.
“I’m a pretty transparent artist,” Vie candidly confessed when discussing the project. “I put it all out there, and my work usually reflects the state of my mind at the time, and much of it became pretty dark. With Beautiful Things, instead I put it all ON there, and I can’t imagine it getting much brighter.”
The title track immediately establishes this vibrant, uplifting tone, serving as an introspective anthem focused on finding silver linings despite life’s chaotic twists. Musically, the album stands as a tour de force of elite rock craftsmanship, bolstered by an incredible lineup of world-class guest musicians. The tracks feature stellar contributions from guitarist Paul Gilbert of Mr. Big, keyboardist Roger Joseph Manning Jr. of Jellyfish, bassist Mike LePond of Symphony X, and veteran drummer Matt Walker, known for his work with Garbage and Morrissey.
The rollout for the full-length record follows on the heels of Vie’s recent single “Plain Jane,” which was issued as a limited-edition 7-inch vinyl and digital release backed with a raw, attitude-filled cover of John Lennon’s “Instant Karma.” Aligning with Wicked Cool Records marks a definitive victory for Vie, who recently succeeded in buying back the rights to his entire solo catalog, giving him total artistic freedom and legal control over his creative legacy.
With a newfound sense of clarity and institutional backing, Vie is officially stepping out of the shadows. Beautiful Things stands as a testament to his enduring, unmistakable vocal grit and a joyful shift toward light and hope that fans have been waiting years to experience.
https://youtu.be/nseVrpiey4k
