With over 12 million albums sold, a No.1 UK record, and a billion streams to her name, Amy Macdonald has become one of the most enduring voices in music. But with her sixth studio album, Is This What You’ve Been Waiting For?, the Scottish singer-songwriter is anything but resting on her laurels.

Channelling themes of survival, resilience, and a renewed appreciation for live performance, the new record marks a bold evolution in both sound and sentiment. In this exclusive FAULT Magazine interview, Amy discusses the emotional inspiration behind the album, how younger generations shaped one of its most uplifting songs, and why overthinking remains her FAULT.

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FAULT Magazine: What emotional or creative weight were you carrying that you needed to release through this record?

AMY MACDONALD: Thankfully, I wasn’t carrying any massive weight emotionally when writing these songs. I’m very thankful to be healthy and to have no major stresses in my life. That said, it’s probably a record about the ups and downs we all experience. Life is never plain sailing for anyone, no matter how much it might look like it from the outside. I think we all reach a certain point where we begin to think about our parents getting older, we see our friends getting married or having children, and we realise that life really does go by in a flash. We have to appreciate everything we go through. I’m constantly observing the world around me and tend to put those thoughts and feelings into my music.

FAULT Magazine: What would you say was the most therapeutic song on the record to write?

AMY MACDONALD: I wouldn’t say any of the songwriting was therapeutic as such, it can be a stressful process at times! Unless a song just comes to you without thinking, which does happen occasionally. But if I had to pick one, I’d probably say “Can You Hear Me?” It was inspired by an amazing crowd at TRNSMT Festival in Scotland. At first, I was a bit panicked because the crowd was so young, and I worried that most of them weren’t even born when I released my first single. I didn’t know what the reaction would be like. But I was completely wrong, it turned out to be one of the best responses I’ve ever had and one of the best crowds I’ve ever played to.

It got me thinking about this younger generation. Despite everything they’ve been through, especially the pandemic and all the challenges in the UK, like the cost of living, low wages, and home ownership feeling out of reach, they were so hopeful, energetic, upbeat, and joyous to be around. I thought, what an amazing generation, and it made me feel optimistic for the future. We need to be in their hands, because they’re the ones who’ll solve the problems we’ve left behind. In that sense, the song became therapeutic, it helped me feel less worried about what’s ahead.

FAULT Magazine: Many of the new songs explore survival. Do you see music itself as a form of survival for you?

AMY MACDONALD: I think for a lot of people, music is survival. In life’s tough moments, we often have a song that pulls us through. When I’m feeling a bit low, putting on music really helps. It’s something that can have a huge impact on all of us it’s a part of everyone’s life, and I don’t think it always gets the credit it deserves. When we look back on all of life’s milestones, there’s always a song connected to them. As an industry, music deserves more recognition for how much it accompanies us throughout life.

FAULT Magazine: What inspired the title track?

AMY MACDONALD: It was inspired by live music and how nothing will ever replace it. There’s nothing like the thrill of being in a venue, waiting for your favourite artist to walk on stage, and being surrounded by people who share that love. I was thinking about AI and everything new that’s being introduced into music, but the live experience can’t be replicated. I know there are things like the ABBA holograms, and while that’s great, it’s still not ABBA. You can’t recreate the artist-audience connection that happens during a real show. The title track is my love story to live music and all that it means to me.

FAULT Magazine: You’ve described feeling more vulnerable on stage these days. Has that vulnerability made your live shows more intimate or more intense?

AMY MACDONALD: I definitely feel more anxious performing, maybe it’s an age thing! I think as we get older, we worry more about everything. When I started out, I was a teenager and it was all just a laugh. I did my thing and didn’t think much about it. Now I’m very aware that people in the audience have spent their hard-earned money to come and see me, so I feel a huge pressure to deliver the best show I can. That pressure can take its toll, because I’m constantly trying to be at my absolute best. It’s probably made my shows feel more intense for me personally. But I’ve found that once I get through the first four or five songs, I start to relax. Talking to the audience between songs helps too,it puts me at ease.

FAULT Magazine: “One More Shot” is a love letter to your fans. How has that relationship with your audience influenced the stories you choose to tell now?

AMY MACDONALD: I think some artists can forget where they came from and start writing songs no one can relate to. I never want to do that. I don’t feel any different from the people who come to my shows. I feel like we’re a little gang, all here for the same reason. I want to make music that people can connect with. That’s why I write about everyday life, situations that affect everyone. I want to create songs that really mean something to people.

FAULT Magazine: Looking back to that teenager with a demo CD and fast-forwarding to this moment, what would you say has been the hardest creative lesson you’ve learnt?

AMY MACDONALD: Trusting your own judgement, that’s the hardest. It’s difficult when you’re surrounded by people in the industry who’ve been doing this for years. You assume they know better, but they don’t always! That’s not just music, it’s the same in every industry. We’re all just winging it. I’m not an expert in what I do, I go with the flow. Looking back, I wish I’d stuck to my instincts more often instead of being swayed. “This Is The Life” is my biggest track, and I was told it shouldn’t be a single. At the time I went along with it, but deep down I always felt it should be.

FAULT Magazine: What are you most looking forward to this summer?

AMY MACDONALD: Playing all the summer shows and performing the new music, connecting with the fans again. I’m lucky to do a lot of outdoor gigs, and I’ve got a few coming up in Germany and Switzerland. You get the sunshine or the sun starting to set, it creates such a special atmosphere. I can’t wait for the album to be out. I love it and I really hope people connect with it.

FAULT Magazine: What is your FAULT?

AMY MACDONALD: I’ve got so many FAULTs how long have we got? laughs But the one that impacts me most is overthinking. I lose sleep over it. It’s something I keep trying to combat, but I haven’t found a way to stop yet!