Distance
Re-Echo, 2024
10/10
After a nearly two decade hiatus, Switzerland’s Brazen are back with a harmonic and soaring indie-rock venture that was penned and recorded between London and Geneva over nearly 10 years.
“Trialog” starts the listen with the warm guitar swimming in plenty of melody that benefits from Mark Blakebrough’s fluid drumming, and “Storms In The Far” follows with a softer display of intimate singing and twinkling instrumentation that builds into a punchy and crisp rocker.
“Let You Down” and “Arms Of The Sea” land in the middle. The former is more rugged, where pretty vocal harmonies are met with muscular ideas, while the latter is the album highlight that’s textured precisely and dynamically with swirling guitars and expressive singing.
Close to the end, “Hey Man” is a rhythmic moment that employs Thibault Schneeberger’s playful bass, and “Bizarre Tragic Hollow Times” exits with Robin Jossen’s bright voice and strategic guitar playing that unfolds with progressive nods and plenty of tunefulness.
Eighteen years is too long for a band this great to be dormant, and their history with prog, emo and even hardcore helps make this a really original and infectious indie-rock masterpiece.