Album recording II

The next few days passed in a blur of late nights and early mornings. Ethan and Max practically lived in the studio, fuelled by coffee, takeout, and an unrelenting drive to perfect every track. The soundproof walls bore witness to endless retakes, experimental riffs, and the occasional frustrated outburst.

The lead Track became the centerpiece of their work. The song was raw, woven with a delicate mix of acoustic guitar, subtle strings, and Ethan's soulful voice. Each line was a tribute to his life—his strengths, his sacrifices, and his unwavering belief in himself.

"We need something more here," Ethan muttered one evening, gesturing to the bridge. "It's good, but it's not hitting hard enough."

Max frowned, replaying the section on loop. "What about layering a vocal harmony? Something that builds into the final chorus."

Ethan grabbed his guitar, strumming softly as he hummed a few lines. "Yeah… yeah, that could work. Let's try it."

Hours later, they had it. The bridge soared, lifting the track to an emotional peak before cascading into a powerful finale. Ethan's voice cracked slightly on the final note, but Max waved him off when he offered to redo it.

"Leave it," Max said firmly. "It's perfect. That crack? It's real. Don't mess with it."

Ethan nodded, trusting Max's instincts. For the first time in weeks, he felt a sense of calm. They were getting closer.

An Unexpected Call

As the album neared completion, Ethan found himself fielding calls from everyone—his agent, label execs, even old friends he hadn't spoken to in years. But one call stood out.

It came late one night as Ethan was reviewing mixes in the lounge. Jessica rushed in handing him a phone, and the name on the screen made his heart skip a beat: Ryan Carter. 'it can't be him right'

Ryan was a superstar in the industry, a multi-platinum artist known for pushing boundaries and collaborating with up-and-coming talent. Ethan had grown up listening to his music, never imagining he'd one day share a conversation with him.

"Hello?" Ethan answered, trying to keep his voice steady.

"Ethan! Man, I've been hearing great things about you," Ryan's smooth voice came through. "That track, Shape of You? It's fire. You've got something special, kid."

Ethan's cheeks flushed. "Thanks, Ryan. That means a lot coming from you."

"Listen," Ryan said, cutting to the chase. "I've got a project in the works, and I think you'd be a perfect fit. I'm talking co-writing, vocals, the whole deal. What do you say?"

Ethan's mind raced. A collaboration with Ryan Carter was a dream opportunity, but he couldn't help feeling torn. His own album was so close to completion, and he didn't want to lose focus.

"That sounds amazing," Ethan said carefully. "But I'm in the middle of finishing my album. Maybe we could sync up after?"

Ryan chuckled. "Fair enough. Finish your masterpiece, and then let's talk. I'll be waiting."

After the call ended, Ethan sat back, his heart pounding. The offer was huge, but it also reminded him of something important: he was carving his own path. And right now, that path led to one thing—completing the album.

The Final Piece

The last track Ethan worked on was Love Someone. It was different from the others—softer, more introspective. The song was about vulnerability, about opening up to love despite the fear of being hurt.

"This one's gotta be stripped back," Ethan told Max as they started recording. "Just piano and vocals. Nothing else."

Max raised an eyebrow. "You sure? We could add some strings, maybe a light drumbeat."

Ethan shook his head. "No. Simple is better. Let the lyrics speak for themselves."

It took them all night to get it right. Ethan poured every ounce of emotion into the song, his voice raw and unguarded. When he sang the final line, the room fell silent.

Max leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly. "Damn, Ethan. That's… that's something else."

Ethan didn't respond right away. He just sat there, staring at the screen, feeling a strange mix of exhaustion and fulfillment.

Two weeks later, the album was finished. Ethan had poured his heart and soul into every track, and now it was ready to meet the world. The title, felt like a declaration—a tribute to his roots and a testament to how far he'd come.

Few days before release day, Ethan woke up to a flood of notifications. Social media was ablaze with anticipation, and fans were already dissecting every lyric.

Max called him that morning, his voice buzzing with excitement. "It would soon be out there, kid. The world would be listening. How do you feel?"

Ethan smiled, staring out the window of his apartment. "Nervous. Excited. But mostly? Ready."

P.S Please check out my other book The Next Big thing and add it to your library thanks