bryarly - bryarly

Bryarly

Bryarly
self-released; 2014

3.8 out of 5

By Ethan Skelton

This album is definitely different and Bryarly wouldn’t have it any other way. On her self-titled album she’s a strong talent with a cool and confident voice, educated in music and songwriting with some old-fashioned relationship clout to boot. And that’s where we see most of her inspiration on this album. 

Love is always a great tool and Bryarly shares her lessons learned via many shapes and colors. Some tracks are rompy and upbeat while others are shifting jazz club vibes. And some are even more removed, falling in that unique singer / songwriter world of lyrical focus and unconventional structure. Her influences range, but Regina Spektor takes hold in most of this work. There’s also a feeling of Alanis Morissette going on, very subtle and more specific to her later 2000’s work. 

I find Bryarly to be more commercial and sophisticated than those contemporaries, but I wonder just where she fits best. She’s definitely got a niche sound. Something like indie folk meets adult alternative. What if she welcomed in some more modern and / or urban influences?

“Making A Break” is a start with it’s fuzzed drone guitar and street beat anchor. But allow me to back the train up to “Find Your Love.” It’s the most comprehensive love story, love being used loosely, but nonetheless she’s direct with her feelings and honest with her needs – it’s just not mutual. She’s basically telling off the guy interest with eloquence and ego saving tact, of course. Bryarly isn’t some witch after all. She’s got places to see….so move on buddy. 

“Oxygen” plays out more like a balanced relationship, however, said relationship has likely ended. “I remember sparks,” she sings as if pining from a window. The beat on this track embeds in your head, it’s strangely industrial for the subject matter, but works somehow. I feel that’s the character of this album – bringing together content and musicality to breathe life into something that hasn’t been heard before. Bryarly is one of the last people you’ll see punching out Top 40 so don’t act surprised. And don’t forget, there’s rapping on “What We Want.” Yeah, you didn’t see that coming.

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