By Kate Birch
Music is about honest feeling. This tends to be forgotten in the modern day industry, where we get so caught up with new artists and intense instrumentals, that recorded music is so studio edited that it’s going stale.
In my opinion, skill is only a small part of the big picture – feeling within music isn’t something that can be polished. That’s the beauty with James Brett, and it’s similar to the beauty I find with live gigs: that sense of Real music.
Not something that has been written for the radio, or rehearsed until it’s lost all meaning. James was lovely enough to send me his EP Can’t Help But Smile through the post.
The CD cover had been hand written and it was adorably authentic, but in all honesty, i was skeptical before listening.
I’d began to expect the same pattern of stereotypical lyrics and predictable instrumentals that greet me when I find new music; the multiple artists that you can’t tell apart because they’ve all gone for the same ‘safe’ indie sound.
I couldn’t have been more wrong.
The EP is thick with raw emotion, each song’s lyrics feel vulnerable and open; no catchy chorus or witty verse, but words that have a wholehearted meaning behind them.
“My main driving force lyrically, even though it may seem self centred, is just how I feel. I could feel completely different the next day but I love how you can almost document a journey of emotions.’
Passionate strumming is flourished with quirky little riffs here and there – enough to keep you on your toes but nothing too over-powering. His instrumentals are soft and subtle, awash in the background whilst carrying the tenderness of each word sung.
What is most poignant about the EP is Brett’s voice. Relaxed, unhurried and a little subdued. Raspy vocals add an earthy tone to his sound, so lethargic that it’s only once you listen close to the music that you catch on to the sincerity of each lyric.
“Alex Turner has always been, and I can safely say always will influence what I do. Alongside Legends like John Lennon, Kurt Cobain, and Elliot Smith”
Final song on the EP, Take my Jacket, reminds me of the same reposed drowsiness as in Toothpaste Kisses by London quartet The Maccabees. It’s hard to compare James Brett to any other artist because his work is so standalone.
If I had to compare him to anyone it would have to be Alex Turner, primarily his solo album Submarine, for that raw-vocal unplugged-guitar sound that both Turner and Brett possess.
A little rough around the edges but it’s real. Honest music from a really genuine, self-produced artist: James Brett.
