Brian Strand – Not Good Enough (2023)
When we left Brian Strand, he was traipsing along the electronic meet synth-pop bucket of music with his single ‘Stranger’. In the following track ‘Tonight’, a pulsating beat brings commercial pop to the plate; however, slivers of rock flit across the arrangement bringing a pop-rock flair to the driving single. Today we take a gander at his most recent single ‘Not Good Enough’.
Recorded and engineered in Strand’s home studio, then mastered by Dan Menapace and remastered by Billy Farmer, ‘Not Good Enough’ is a sophisticated collaboration between three naturally skilled professionals. Bringing a nostalgic flair of 90s rock to the sonic whirlpool, Strand gives us a vintage flutter of older pop-rock flooded by harder alternative rock. Interestingly, while the pounding drums and heavy guitar is nostalgic, the interspersed keys and synths introduce something modern-day – it’s clear to see why Strand is a vibrant jewel in contemporary music.
Known for weaving profound lyricism in soul-stirring melodies, ‘Not Good Enough’ finds that juxtaposition of intimate vulnerability in a cheerful “booty-shaking earworm”. Taken off his upcoming debut album Selfie, which touches on various themes such as connection, time and the changing world, ‘Not Good Enough’ explores the universal themes of insecurity and uncertainty. Penned from the perspective of the individual, a personal narrative connects with listeners on a deeper level. It muddles through the mire of self-doubt to explore self-discovery and take ownership of those feelings to overcome the challenges. Strand explains:
“In general, this song is about insecurity brought on by lack of success. Particularly in the world of art, we find ourselves dependent on what people think of us and our work. I think we all deal with insecurity on some level, whether it is on a large scale or as simple as when trying to connect with someone and being unable to break through…”
Sincere, sentimental and filled with introspection, Brian Strand elegantly exposes human fragility in ‘Not Good Enough’.
Find out more about Brian Strand on his Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
