Ali McGuirk

Ali McGuirk

Ali McGuirk is a soul singer and songwriter whose voice and guitar work have drawn comparisons to Susan Tedeschi, but her sound is distinctly her own — earthy, smoldering, and fiercely honest.

Her 2022 release, Til It’s Gone, was hailed by The Boston Globe as one of the “50 Best Albums of the Year,” praised for its tenderness, introspection, and bold songwriting. Critics from Consequence of Sound to WBUR and PopMatters lauded her ability to fuse timeless grooves with a modern perspective, noting her knack for painting deeply human portraits in just a few strokes.

Now McGuirk returns with Watertop, her most ambitious work yet — a record that expands her sonic palette into experimental textures while leaning into the power of her soulful voice. She describes the songs as “preaching” more than processing, stepping into a new role as both artist and messenger. Themes of empathy, love, faith, and greed weave through the music, tackling big ideas with honesty and fire.

On stage, McGuirk is both commanding and vulnerable, with a performance style that feels intimate yet electrifying. With her unmistakable voice and fearless songwriting, Ali McGuirk is quickly becoming one of New England’s most vital musical exports.