Prolific Boston songwriter revisits decades of unreleased material on new album out now via Fixation Records.
After decades writing hit songs for artists ranging from Taylor Swift and The Beaches to Reba McEntire and Rascal Flatts, Massachusetts songwriter Robert Ellis Orrall has turned the spotlight back onto his own work with the release of Wonderland, now available via Fixation Records.
The new album gathers a freshly produced collection of songs pulled from Orrall’s extensive personal archive, bringing together material written throughout his long songwriting career. The record also revisits a well-known collaboration with Swift, reimagining the track “I’m Only Me (When I’m With You)” — originally recorded for the deluxe edition of Swift’s 2006 debut album — as a sweeping orchestral ballad.
Lead single “Brand New Me” first introduced listeners to the project with its soaring power-pop energy, while the album’s spotlight track “Underground” highlights Orrall’s knack for crafting melodic, emotionally resonant songwriting.
The project also marks another chapter in the reunion of Orrall’s longtime band — guitarist Kook Lawry, bassist Don Walden, and drummer David Stefanelli — who originally formed the songwriter’s backing group during his early career in Boston. The quartet first rose to prominence in the 1980s as part of the city’s new wave scene, performing at legendary venues like The Rat, Paradise Rock Club, and the Orpheum Theatre while touring alongside acts such as U2 and The Kinks.
In recent years, the band has reassembled both on stage and in the studio, fueling a renewed creative streak that has seen Orrall release multiple albums since 2021. Wonderland arrives during a particularly prolific period, filling the gap before another full band release expected later this year.
Beyond his work as a recording artist, Orrall’s songwriting legacy stretches across decades and genres. With more than 350 songs recorded by artists worldwide — including five chart-topping hits — his music has appeared in major films and television series such as The Bourne Identity, Hannah Montana, and Freaky Friday. He also played a pivotal role in shaping Swift’s early career, co-writing and co-producing her multi-platinum debut album.
For Orrall, the album represents a long-awaited opportunity to share songs that had quietly lived in his personal archive for years. Now finally released, Wonderland offers a glimpse into the deeper corners of a catalog that has already shaped a significant portion of modern pop and country songwriting.
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