Album Review

Jonathan Brenner’s “Instagram Success” LP

Filled with the sort of earthy tonality that some would just as soon come from an uncompromisingly passionate live performance in a quaint venue somewhere, the guitar parts that are fired at us from start to finish in Jonathan Brenner’s Instagram Success are perhaps the most charming element to behold in this second album from the singer/songwriter, but they’re not the only component vital to the creation of the record’s one-of-a-kind harmonies.

With the help of a potent vocal from Brenner, these strings will form a boldly colorful melodicism unmatched in his first album, whether it be in “It’s a Dyin’ Art” and “Key to My Heart” or deeper cuts like “Hangin’ on the Edge over You” and “Silly Little Habit,” it’s as strong an entity as they come. This is a player who makes communication feel like more of an art form than it has for a long time in pop music, and more than a couple of critics are making note of it.

I love the production quality here, especially with regards to intricately melodic songs like “Not Gettin’ Drunk, Not Gettin’ High,” “Ride That Money Train,” and “The Balla of Orson Jones,” but I can’t say that all of these tracks wouldn’t sound even better in a live setting than they do in this capacity. There’s no dispute as to whether or not the bones of the aforementioned compositions could withstand the pressure of a stage environment; contrarily, I get the impression that they were designed specifically with the energy that an audience’s emotional reaction in mind.

Brenner has the energy of an old-fashioned troubadour in Instagram Success, and I for one would love to see and hear how it translates in person sometime. Although he benefits quite significantly from the way everything in this mix was seemingly tailored to his needs as a songwriter and a vocalist, there’s something more unrestrained lying in these poetic verses that makes me yearn to hear what he can do when there aren’t any studio walls around to restrict his output.

Jonathan Brenner isn’t playing by major label rules in his second album; from my assessment, he’s going out of his way to establish himself as an outside of the box-style of songwriter who cares more about making a big harmony than he does forming a familiar but catchy hook riddled with the usual indulgences we hear virtually every five minutes on the FM dial.

His spirit and his dedication are pretty refreshing to come by in 2024, and if he can continue to refine his sound moving into this new chapter in the history of alternative rock and crossover Americana particularly, I think he’s going to make a considerable impact on his scene sooner than some would expect him to. This is a record that lives and dies by the spaciousness of its concept, which, isn’t what a lot of critics are going to be left raving about this April. To me, Brenner is quite the methodical singer/songwriter, but at the end of the day, it is his moxie at the microphone that gives me the biggest thrills in Instagram Success.

Loren Sperry

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Album Review

Brynja Rán finds clarity in complicated relationships on “Unblurred” [album]

It can be hard to see when a relationship no longer meets your emotional needs, especially when affection, uncertainty, and repeated disappointment are hard to untangle. “Unblurred,” an album built on the bedrock of emotional unavailability, recurring conflict, and the slow dawning that a relationship might need to end, is where Brynja Rán unpacks that difficult process.

The ten songs follow the arc of attachment and frustration, weaving together the story of someone trying to figure out what they deserve. The focus track, “Unblurred Lines,” hits on the album’s central concept. This is when the veils begin to fall, and the person is more ready to see the partner’s behavior for what it is. The song is musically rich, with an acoustic and electric guitar soundscape, synthesizers, bass guitar, drums, and additional instrumentation.

The surrounding songs view the same emotional landscape from different angles. “Cowboy Wannabe” explores a partner masking insecurity with a detached personality, and “Deja Vu” captures the frustration of arguments that go round and round without changing anything. “Adore” is about ignoring red flags when you’re that into something, and “Cherry” is about the temporary comfort of being in a relationship that just isn’t right.

The album opens up by looking at borders and the need for real connection. “Make Me Feel” is about wanting to be loved, and “Until” is about how long you should stay in the twilight zone. “Still Stuck Waiting” captures the frustration of waiting for communication and commitment. “Don’t You Leave” begins with fear of abandonment and moves toward healing, while “What Else” ends the record with emotional exhaustion and a desire to move on.

Rather than treating every experience as a one-off event, the tracklist of “Unblurred” attempts to create a single image of relationship troubles. With this release, Brynja Rán explores unhealthy patterns, boundaries, and getting the clarity to choose a different path.

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Album Review

Legends of the Seven Golden Vampires explore healing and personal growth on “The Pumphouse of Broken Dreams” [album]

Albums often have a strong sense of identity, with songs linking to a broader emotional and musical direction. The nine-song album “The Pumphouse of Broken Dreams” by Legends of the Seven Golden Vampires, featuring Dutch vocalist Ilse Van Der Linden front and center, is more cohesive.

The band’s melodic psychedelic pop offers a welcome counterpoint to a project that explores recovery, longing, uncertainty, and personal growth. The tracklist is an emotional journey. “To Think, To Heal” starts with the idea of mental healing and moving on from the past. “Flying” is more of an escapist wish to escape the pressures of day-to-day life. “Come Home” is about finding comfort and belonging.

“Here I Am” is about self-awareness and openness. Together, these early songs form an album about finding stability and processing difficult experiences. The middle ground is more emotionally layered. “Hopelessly Devoted To You” is about being attached all the time, and “Lost & Burned” is about being worn out and the results of hard experiences. Then there is “In My Dreams,” which turns into memory and unfulfilled wishes. Later, “AIR” brings the need for freedom, air, space, and a new start.

It ends with “BLEND,” a combination of psychedelic, shoegaze, and electronic influences. The release also includes another visual element from Gareth Halliday, who also worked on Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds Who Built The Moon. “The Pumphouse of Broken Dreams” has softer vocals and a range of emotions. This album is deliberately constructed, moving from reflection to acceptance without losing the variety of experiences it tackles.

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