Mitch Linker's “If I’m Being Honest” Is a Quietly Loud Statement

Mitch Linker is a Connecticut-based singer/songwriter who composes lush, melodic, wistful, 70s-influenced pop rock. Fans of artists such as Elton John, REM, Rufus Wainwright, Fountains of Wayne, Ron Sexsmith, Matthew Sweet, and Squeeze will surely enjoy his thoughtful yet instantly hummable melodies, distinct voice, and rich production.

At first listen, Mitch Linker’s “If I’m Being Honest” might strike you as another well-written, mid-tempo pop track. But let it breathe. Play it a second time, and its layers start to unfold, like a John Mayer song that’s wandered into the emotional territory of Coldplay’s Parachutes.

Linker knows how to pace a song. The verses simmer with restraint, allowing his unique vocal tone, somewhere between Ben Rector and Ryan Tedder, to rise to the forefront. Then comes the chorus: bold, cathartic, and built to echo through festival speakers. The electric guitar lines deserve their own mention. They don’t just decorate the track—they elevate it. There’s a controlled chaos in the background that gives the song its pulse, contrasting beautifully with the clean vocal melody.

What makes “If I’m Being Honest” compelling is its refusal to oversell. In a streaming world full of instant gratification and chorus-first formulas, Linker builds something more timeless. It’s honest pop-rock, and that’s rarer than you’d think.