To say multi-genre duo Brijean makes oddly bizarre music is a gross understatement. The merger of vocalist Brijean Murphy and producer Doug Stuart is an off-trail musical journey often so beat-and-bass-driven that their work veers you far away from your own subconscious. Their Ghostly International debut album, Feelings, is no exception to this.
Feelings shine best through its beats and bass. This is without a doubt pure dance music. From the way it makes you tap your toes to the bass that I could feel shaking the room (or that I imagined would have, if there’d been a subwoofer in my room), to the lyrics.
It’s a unique experience. The album shakes loose an unexpected feeling like jerking the steering wheel to keep your car from drifting into the opposite lane or kicking yourself awake as you fall in the limbo space between dream and reality. Bluntly put it’s a little unsettling. That unsettling-ness shouldn’t dissuade you from listening to the music and letting it take over your mind, though.
The tracks are made to be–as the album’s title might indicate–felt not heard. On the album’s aptly named second track, “Softened Thoughts,” for example, I almost forget that Murphy’s vocals are there. They are so blurry and atmospheric that it’s easy to lose track of what she’s saying. The good news is that by and large, what she’s saying isn’t very complicated. With exception, it’s an album encapsulated by the line from “Hey Boy,” “that feels good it must be right.” The album is full of lines like this, sung slowly, sensually, dripping over the punctual, shuffling, quicker beats, almost languid.
Playing above the beat and bass, Brijean weaves a layered symphony of synths and sounds, from almost string-line flowing lines to electro twangs and twirls. “Lathered in Gold,” for example, slowly drifts, percussive effects, high hats, and vocal flourishes bouncing about the track to give it a peculiar sense of space but not spaciousness. It’s a much smaller, more intimate sense of space.
My main criticism for this album is the tracks are at times too coherent. Brijean finds their beat quickly, nailing it down, but then they keep hitting that same sound over and over. Each song is great, but I’d have a lot of trouble distinguishing between favorite tracks from my least favorite.
It almost begs the question, “where else could they take this talent?” How could Brijean expand their sound a little and really blow our minds? Because it’s possible. Feelings is a masterclass in disco-ish, mellow but almost psychedelic electro-pop. If we ever get out of the pandemic, I can’t wait to put it on and kick back with some friends.
In total, Murphy and Stuart declare at the outset that they are here to play with feelings. The pair do a wonderful job manipulating their beats, melodies, and harmonies to do just that. Groovy dance tunes and leaned-back atmospherics amount in this sophomore release. If it’s any indication of what’s to come from the duo going forward, there’s much to be excited by.
Brijean’s album Feelings is available across all streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal. To purchase visit Bandcamp or the official Ghostly store.
What did you think about Brijean’s new album Feelings? Be sure to let us know below in the comment section. Want more of Brijean? Connect with the duo across your favorite social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
