Brian Strand – Stranger (2023)
Despite the negative global effect of Covid-19, there are some positives that emerged from those dreary years – one of them being Brian Strand. I’m not saying he was born then, although the birth rate didn’t seem to decline, but rather his solo project come alive. Already an experienced musician having performed in bands and as a songwriter, Strand embraced the solo project with enthusiasm. In fact, a couple of singles were released just before lockdowns hit and now, he is carrying on with a defiant style. The latest addition to his discography is the single ‘Stranger’.
The first release in 2023, ‘Stranger’ is Brian Strand’s return to music since 2019. Following ‘Open The Door’ and ‘To Build A Home’, the US-based artist melds elements of commercial pop with indie-rock in ‘Stranger’. Opening with electronic beats, you could be forgiven to assume the song falls into the realm of electropop; however, slivers of rock slither through with a dip into a dynamic guitar solo before lifting up and leading out with softer synths. I can hear drops of Billie Eilish and Depeche Mode in ‘Stranger’, but there is an originality in Strand’s work showcasing innovation as an artist.
Just as the melody could have a crowd twirling about in a blissful haze, the lyrics are as impactful. Penned by Strand, ‘Stranger’ explores the murky waters of fame with an introspective stance. Strand explains: “For ‘Stranger’, I imagined a version of myself that was fulfilled through musical achievement but emptied because of the distance that created between his career and a former lifestyle.” He further shares that the single is “…about who I imagine I could have been had I found success as a musician in my early 20s. At the time I dreamed that I would have a wonderful, carefree life…in hindsight, I imagine it would have been a lonely, pressure-filled and distancing lifestyle…”
Taken from his upcoming debut album Selfie, Brian Strand shares his sentimental, insightful and honest single ‘Stranger’.
For more from Brian Strand, check out his Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
