Brand New: A Retrospection and a Record of Wonder

It came like a red alert, it startled many minds, it now dazzles with its emotional entanglement, proving that the New York band Brand New love to surprise. They did so with their new record Science Fiction, an album which truly resonates, and an opus, formidable in its execution. With all the hype surrounding it, 500 copies of it were sent to unsuspecting fans who pre-ordered. This sent shockwaves through the industry, it managed to create a storm of bewilderment, but nobody complained.

And Science Fiction is a haunting record, on the cusp of creating waves of discomfort, but truly silencing the critics. It has spun yarns of beauty, with lead singer Jesse Lacey monumentally pushing forward with his sombre vocals and immersive wordplay. He scorns the world, he pushes for hope that’s drenched in recklessness, and he wishes to see a bright light shine on those layers of darkness.

The lyrics are poignant, but also disturbing, with them pushing at limp minds, creating a wave of discussion. And Brand New have always leaned towards forming lyrical milestones throughout their celebrated lifespan. They’ve scattered their records with words meticulously crafted, often troubled notes, and unsettling texts of fear.

Science Fiction is the first record in 8 years and it will drive you like a pickaxe pummeling through a block of ice. It’s far more direct than previous album, Daisy, too; it doesn’t rely on hard-hitting, bolstering guitar lines, and it truly falls into the pathway of subtlety, proving that not all rock records need to be fiery and loud.

Jesse Lacey’s voice is gritty and delicate, and he doesn’t bellow out substantially, he remarks on troublesome times, hardships, and broken luck. And with all this dread stored up, it must be difficult for the singer to hold onto the fabric of truth and clarity. His mindset must be cluttered, but it’s still potent enough to fire wonder.

And songs such as "Could Never Be Heaven" and "Batter Up" are composed with utter emotion and heartache. Lacey sings with a voice choked up; he brandishes his vocal chords with care but also there’s a tinge of sadness running through them. The instrumentals are stupendously light and soft, but they’re played with honesty and professionalism. All of the songs on Science Fiction intertwine to offer something extraordinary.

Brand New is an enigmatic outfit, there’s no doubt about that. They don’t come to the fore often, they like to step back and admire what they’ve achieved with no malice or arrogance. They go back into their bubbles and waste no time. But, Science Fiction could be a swan song record?

And if it is their swan song album? Then it will go down as a triumphant conclusion. Barriers have been breached, boundaries have been pushed, and minds have been skimmed over with a sense of excitement but also with emotion. That’s what we come to expect, we know that Brand New is a band with courage in abundance, their veins are fueled, their eyes see differently, but also they empty thoughts into bundles, chronicling feelings through art. Of course they aren’t Gods or some sort of calling, they’re just a band which know how to create atmosphere and songs of magnitude. And one thing is for sure, they will go down as emo revivalists, a band which have redefined a genre.

And with Science Fiction hitting the industry like a thunder bolt, many will cascade into its story-line and beauty with excitement rushing through their veins. They’ll find solace here, a chance to escape the monotony. And New York darlings Brand New are more relevant than ever before.