Minneapolis-based singer/songwriter Brynn Andre’s 2010 debut showed her
as an important new musical voice, and she’s continued to broaden her
sterling reputation in the decade plus since its release. Her new album
Honeymoon finds her talents expanded in exponential fashion and Andre
approaching her songwriting art with a level of maturity that few
songwriters of her style and age can readily match. Produced by Matt
Patrick, a renowned music mover and shaker in the Minneapolis scene, the
eleven song collection casts a wide net and hauls in ample rewards for
the listener.
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Website: https://www.brynnandre.com
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It's an understated sign of confidence that she opens the album with its
title song. “Honeymoon” is a sparsely arranged affair she guides with
piano and strands of keyboards while her voice anchors the song’s
center. Her singing has an airy touch, sweet yet soulful, and helps
bring the track’s abundant specific details to life with aching
sensitivity. The deliberate pacing of the title cut works in its favor.
“Celebrity” benefits from that same attention to lyrical detail and
boasts a striding stateliness differing from its predecessor. Andre,
likewise, makes excellent use of a light theatrical edge accented with
dramatic percussion and quicksilver piano and keyboard lines that weave
magic throughout the track.
“Sad”, a single from the album for good reason, introduces subtle
acoustic guitar into the musical mix. Much of the arrangement, however,
continues relying on Andre’s stalwart keyboards and piano. She varies
the texture further, however, with passages with strong percussion that
slips out and then back into listener’s hearing. Alternating between
these two approach gives the song an unique feel. Her eye for
significant detail will continue impressing listeners as well.
Honeymoon’s spartan elegance and high pop sheen continues with “Fertile
Ground”. She opts for electronic percussion here instead of a
traditional drum sound. This works especially well given the surprising
tempo shifts Andre incorporates into the composition; these pacing
adjustments, however, never threaten to radically alter the song.
Touches such as this, instead, deepen the cut’s impact. “Reliable Man”
is a pop gem with atmospherics galore. They are never overwrought,
however, and imbue the arrangement with a stylish sophistication
befitting some of Andre’s most thoughtful lyrics on the release.
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Bandcamp: http://brynnandre.bandcamp.com
“Strawberry Wine” is a wind-swept mood piece reminiscent of the album’s
more nebulous arrangements. There’s a gossamer-like beauty pervading
many of Honeymoon’s strongest tracks as if they reflect through the
prism of dreams. Another way of hearing them is as if they are
late-night reflections filtered through smoke and moonlight. “Even Love”
concludes the album, however, with soaring piano balladry that acts as a
melodic summation of everything preceding it. Andre returns to her piano
for a final time and gives listeners a emotionally satisfying conclusion
to the release that ties up any loose ends.
Honeymoon is a stunning affirmation of Brynn Andre’s talents and moves
the goal posts for this powerful songwriter. She’s hit upon a winning
formula for pop songwriting excellence that prioritizes speaking about
adult concerns and anyone over the age of thirty will connect with the
substance of these songs. It’s a moving and fulfilling work.