Scottish Indie Soul Popsters Brownbear have released their second album ‘Demons’ on Braunber Records. Led by singer-songwriter, musician, writer and filmmaker Matt Hickman this is an upbeat, positive album with hidden depths.
The album opens with three singles. ‘All I Want’, ‘Close Call’ and ‘Let Your Guard Down’ are catchy guitar driven power pop at its finest. Think along the lines of Mumford & Sons except with a bit of swearing… ‘you don’t really like to sing and I don’t give a fuck about art… still I follow my heart.‘
‘Take Your Time’ is a soulful John Cougar Mellencamp-esque track. And I’m all for that kind of vibe as many of you will know.
The second half of the album is a step change, with title track ‘Demons’ slowing things down a little and ‘Melodie’ containing a few less bells and whistles and in return a lot more heart.
The album closes with ‘Unity’, a track that speaks to the Black Scottish experience and feels like an optimistic rallying call.
In a time when it doesn’t feel like there’s much to be positive about, this album is a welcome break and much needed tonic. What’s wrong with a bit of frothy pop and a heartfelt message? As Taylor Swift moves into filmmaking to tell her stories, Matt Hickman is paving the way for multi-talented creatives in Scotland.
Fair play.
Brownbear will perform at St Luke’s, Glasgow on Friday 24 March and will then embark on a Scottish acoustic tour with support from Jamie Coleman, with a special hometown show on 12th May at The Caves in Edinburgh.
Demons | Acoustic Album Tour
April 25th | Mull | An Tobar
April 27th | Skye |Skye Bridge Studios
April 28th | Stornoway | An Lanntair
May 4th | Galashiels | Mac Arts
May 5th | Greenock | Beacon Arts Centre
May 6th | Irvine| Harbour Arts Centre
May 11th | Pittenweem | Bread & Butter
Tickets available from brownbearofficial.com
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Review by Breige Cobane. Lead image by Gabby Secomb.
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