An Experimental Blend of Cinematic Neo-Folk From Brigadoon
- R.A.G.
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
An absolutely engulfing new record from Brigadoon delves deep into personal attributes with this blend of a neo-folk and vintage songwriting approach that really speaks volumes for the artist, simply because he's able to tap into this slew of influences that he must hold close to his heart, bringing things to a more current playing field without being over the top with it.
What I mean is, his approach and style to songwriting and performance, for that matter, blend old and new school extremely well.
Throughout the record you get a lot of indie folk, completely warm and welcoming tones, inviting songs, and a lot of honesty that drops of inner thought for everyone to pick up on.
The record is a little bit experimental, but again, it keeps things balanced. Nothing about it is pushed too far, but instead really dynamically in place so that you have a record that takes you on a great musical journey that feels both familiar and new simultaneously.
The record opens up with "Everyone's Theme", which is more of an introduction to the album, and a great one at that because you're getting pulled in and engulfed into the soundscape you're about to hear plenty of.
This has a very spacious undertone that adds more of a cinematic backbone, and I love how it sort of feels like a waking dream.
"Extra Moons" absolutely brings out much more of a vintage tonality. Not just with the guitars, but also the way the vocals are laid out. Everything sounds like it's from the mid 1960s.
I don't think this is something that was done accidentally, but I also feel like it's just a natural way for the artist to come through. Again, he's influenced by a lot of different stuff, obviously. A lot of that is really vintage and classic folk and that's why this grabs you. You can hear a lot of that coming through in different spots on the record.
It happens differently depending on what song you're listening to as well. For example, "Doppelganger" showcases that classic aspect in the form of vocal harmonies drenched in reverb effect so that you have that distant feel, and it's very easy to get swallowed up by this, especially if you grew up listening to old school stuff.
Obviously, it has a bit of a classic rock influence as well, but that goes without saying.
Songs like "Southern Pastoral" are the ones that bring more of a current feel, still not fully letting go of that vintage folk approach, but it's the approach and aesthetic of it feel like something much newer.
He's able to combine those two things so seamlessly and naturally. That's why this record is so good.
"Forest Floor" gives you more of an experimental approach with strings that are almost psychedelic and create a steady stream of sound, while vocals flow through it all.
As I mentioned before, this is a record that has fewer boundaries than the norm. It branches out.
It showcases an artist that isn't afraid to really tell stories and create something that is for him. He's not bowing down to particular kinds of genres or listeners, but rather creating something that allows him to tell his story in his way.
To some, this will feel very theatrical. I definitely picked up on some theatrical or filmic elements throughout its course, along with a lot of emotional ups and downs.
Most of the time, those emotional rises and falls come from the brightness or sullenness of the melodies and progressions being played.
For example, the closing track is "No One's Theme", which has a much more right feel than the opening song did. This one is like the light at the end of the tunnel; that 'everything is going to be okay' feeling.Â
It's definitely a big piece of work.
It's something that is sort of stripped down, but doesn't really feel like that. It feels bigger. It has a lusciousness to it that comes through in such a full-bodied manner and sound that when the record is over you have to shake yourself out of it.
This is one of those albums that I would heavily suggest listening to with headphones on because it tells stories, he gets real, and he gets experimental, once again.
There are plenty of layers of texture and tone that swim around you when you listen with headphones on, and it's a beautiful thing to experience.
I would definitely dive into this record, and if you can, listen to it all the way through in one shot.
I know not everyone has the time for that, but if you do, it's one of the best ways to really take it all in.
This record serves as a great escape and can certainly pull you away from wherever you are and whatever you're doing and put you in a different headspace for a little bit.