ALBUM REVIEW: BRAND NEW - SCIENCE FICTION

BRAND NEW
SCIENCE FICTION
Procrastinate! Music Traitors (Self-Released)
Emo, Alternative Rock, Post-Hardcore.
Listening Format: Digital


BRAND NEW Brand New, BRAND NEW Brand New, BRAND NEW BRAND NEW!!!!! DROPPED RIGHT OUT OF THE BLUE!!! NOW IT'S TIME FOR A REVIEW...

When you think of the word Emo, it conjurers a lot of images, some of them are perhaps even derogatory or completely misguided. I remember as a teenager hearing At the Drive In, REM, Bright Eyes, Elliott Smith AND My Chemical Romance get described as "Emo"... But if there is one thing I know for sure, when referring to Emo as a music subgenre, Brand New are one of the first bands that should come to mind. This seminal New York formed band really are one of the most important Alternative Rock acts of the noughties. Their first album was released in 2001, and their previous release 'Daisy' bookended the decade in 2009. After that there were a few tours, and a few re-issues and archival releases, but just a week ago, Brand New's fifth album 'Science Fiction' dropped out of the blue, self-released by the band digitally, with physical releases due to follow. Their first album in 8 years!

So what can we expect from a BRAND NEW Brand New album in 2017? Recently their fellow peers American Football returned with a new album after a 17 year hiatus, and it was met with a very lukewarm reception from fans and critics. I personally thought it was great, but surprisingly the prospect of a more mature and grown up American Football fell on deaf ears. The Emo kids have now become Emo adults with families and houses... The natural expectation for Brand New's return would put them in a similar scenario. These guys aren't kids any more. They are all grown up and have very much matured, and this is the direction their music will move in too, right?! Their last album 'Daisy' injected more Post-Hardcore elements than ever, and was a rather visceral record, but Brand New have always shown a maturity in their writing too, with some exceptional Folk influenced ballads to their name. "Me Vs. Maradona Vs. Elvis' am'right!? Naturally 'Science Fiction' is by far their most mature and downbeat album to date. Long gone are the silly overlong song titles. Lyrically this is a very introspective record. Musically there are a lot of moments that verge on Indie Folk, with the Post-Hardcore side of the band taking much more of a backseat.

'Science Fiction' opens with a really ominous, crackling spoken word sample, as if you'd accidentally put on an old Godspeed You! Black Emperor record! It's actually a fantastic way to set the tone, as 'Lit Me Up' evolves into a slow-burning, spacey dirge filled with atmospheric reverb guitar. 'Could Never Be Heaven' is a straight up Folk ballad something (early) Sun Kil Moon might have written. Stand out 'In the Water' combines those acoustic guitar driven verses with loud, explosive guitar choruses, but has this late 70s "Ditch Trilogy" Neil Young kind of swampy feel going on. 'Science Fiction' is very much a laid back, restrained and reflective record, but the whole band still sound incredibly emotive and impassioned. As always, Jesse Lacey's vocals are show stealing, emoting so much raw feeling, and increasing versatility.

Though the overall tone of 'Science Fiction' is downbeat, sorrowful, dark and languid, there are still some bright, colourful and energetic moments on the record. 'Can't Get It Out' is a massive uplifting and anthemic song. It almost has that whiff of being a festival flag waver sing along, with this huge chorus punctuated with pounding drums and roaring guitar power chords. It's a simple, radio friendly gem of a song. 'Same Logic/Teeth' is brimming with ferocity, one of the few times where Lacey reaches for those yelping Hardcore influenced screams. Whilst 'Science Fiction' is a fantastically bold and consistent record, it isn't without the occasional stumbles in its hour long run time. "451" is a little too upbeat for it's own good, with this sort of Americana country ramble vibe going on. 'Desert''s falsetto harmonised vocal chorus comes across a little too over the top, but I guess every classic Emo album goes FULL EMO at some points, eh!? The album ends on a breathtaking finale, 'Batter Up'. A slow, dreamy, atmospheric Post-Rock track reminiscent of Mogwai's classic 'CODY'. This beautiful, softly sung gem reads like an epitaph and is such a sad, genuinely tear-jerking and powerful way for such a seminal band to bow out.

'Science Fiction' is strongly hinted to be Brand New's final album, with one last hurrah tour to follow, and not only is this a fantastic and logical way to go out, but it was totally worth that long wait too. Dropping it for free online was a neat little surprise for eagerly waiting fans. Brand New have delivered with a heavyweight album that has enough justified gold on it to be able to pull off that feat. It's no wonder why music fans are going absolutely crazy with joy at the release of this album. Some long time fans may lament the lack of the more fiery side of Brand New - There are is certainly no 'Sic Transit Gloria... Glory Fades' or 'Gasoline' on this record. But what we have hear perfectly reflects where this band are at in 2017, and the personalities of the band members nearing 40 years old. 'Science Fiction' is a deeply spun and involved record that reveals more and more colour and personality with each listen. Brand New have successfully created their most mature, sincere and introspective record in their discography, favouring sadness, beauty, texture and solitude over their more in your face moments of the past. It rings with just as much passion and true emotion as anything they have done prior, perhaps even more so. I personally can't wait to hold a physical copy in my hands. Brand New. 'Science Fiction'. A near perfect way to end a saga. 9/10.