Pennan Brae

Combining crunchy guitars, a smoothly melodic vocal and a jittery drumbeat that could set-off the more timid among us even at moderate volumes, there’s no describing the new single and video from Pennan Brae - “Crashland” - as anything other than a sonic contradiction. 

More on Pennan Brae: https://www.facebook.com/PennanBraeMusic/ 

While it’s structured as a pop song, for all intents and purposes, its blistering riff-rock cosmetics and wholly postmodern lyric video make it one of the odder and more intriguing indie rock listens I’ve had the chance of taking a peek at lately. It defies critical boundaries and doesn’t play by its own rules at times, and this October, it could be among the smarter releases you’re going to see or hear. The lyric video for “Crashland” is far more cinematic than most, inviting characters, surreal props and what could be perceived as an alternative viewpoint of its poetic narrative inside of a four and a half minute piece. 

The ambitiousness of the video definitely matches up with the overall energy - and multilayered style - of the music in general, and though some might look at it as being a bit indulgent for what Brae’s previous release have set us up for, I don’t know that it isn’t more representative of an evolving artistry than it is an explicit act of excess. A punkish take on the streamlined heartland of the 1980’s that doesn’t get lost in pretentiousness and, at times, feels almost intentionally sugary in tone, “Crashland” is definitely another dimension of Pennan Brae’s profile that I am looking forward to exploring more in the future. 

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-astronot/1436890869?i=1436890980&ign-gact=3&ls=1 

His certainly isn’t the easiest of catalogues to categorize using the same conventional terminology I would a mainstream act, but nonetheless, fans of unconventional indie rock are almost guaranteed to feel something from what he’s put together for us here. 

**********

Trace Whittaker

Newcastle-upon-Tyne

10/2020