In this business, you never know when the next big thing’s going to land in your lap. It’s like panning for gold, most days you’re sifting through mud, but every so often, you strike pay dirt. That’s the thrill of being a music journalist, I guess. Sure, I could spend hours combing through Spotify playlists or chasing down the latest buzz on social media. But honestly? With an inbox that looks like a digital mosh pit every morning, I’ve got more than enough to keep me busy. It’s information overload, pure and simple.
But then, out of the blue, something cuts through everything else. Not from some algorithm or PR blast, but the old-fashioned way – word of mouth. Takes me back to swapping tapes in high school, passing around those underground punk gems like contraband. There was something special about that, wasn’t there? The thrill of discovery, of being in on a secret.
That’s exactly what happened with this latest find. I’m not one for hyperbole, but this artist… they’ve got something. Again, I’m not being hyperbolic here, I genuinely mean that. Their new release hit me harder than anything else I’ve heard all year. It’s not just the music – though that’s impressive enough. It’s the storytelling, the emotion behind the lyrics. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill, cookie-cutter indie stuff. This is the real deal.
James Brodie’s been in the game for over a decade, but “Lost and Found” feels like a true arrival. This New Zealand songwriter and producer’s been honing his craft, and now he’s stepping into the spotlight with something that really packs a punch.
The title’s a stroke of genius, if you ask me. It’s not just clever wordplay, but I feel like it cuts right to the heart of what Brodie’s exploring here. We’re talking about being overwhelmed with despair, that feeling of being utterly shattered. But it’s not all doom and gloom. Brodie’s gives us those slivers of hope, those tiny sparks that keep us going even when everything else feels dark.
Fresh off the presses, which I do think this release dropped yesterday, September 24th. Talk about striking while the iron’s hot. After years of working for various projects, Brodie’s finally center stage. And boy, does he make the most of it on this debut solo release.
Now, let’s dig into these tracks.
From the get-go, “Flickers” grabs you right away. There’s no gentle easing into the track, no slow build-up or atmospheric intro. Nope, Brodie just drops you right into the heart of the arrangement, vocals and all. It’s jarring in the best possible way, like walking into a room where a conversation’s already in full swing. You’re caught off guard, but all in.
This immediate start is pretty rare in music these days. Most artists like to set the scene, build anticipation. But Brodie, he’s confident enough in his sound to just get straight to it. It’s almost like he’s saying, “Keep up or get left behind.” The overall tone of the track is warm, inviting. There’s a laid-back quality to it that feels like sinking into a comfortable chair after a long day. But here you can’t really view that easiness for simplicity – there’s a lot going on here in this mix.
Take the vocals, for instance. Brodie’s main lines are clear and upfront, but there’s this super cool thing happening in the background. It’s like a whisper, a shadow of the main vocal. Sometimes it’s harmonizing, sometimes it’s riffing off the melody. It’s subtle, but it adds this haunting quality to the track. It’s like having someone whisper in your ear while you’re trying to focus on a conversation. Unsettling, but in a way that keeps you hooked.
The melody itself is a thing of beauty. It’s got this carefree quality that belies the craft behind it. It’s the kind of tune that feels instantly familiar, like it’s always been floating around in the ether, just waiting for someone to catch it and put it down on tape. And the way Brodie’s vocal melody goes right through the instrumentation, it’s just masterful. There are sections where the interplay between voice and music is so perfect, it’s hard to tell where one ends and the other begins.
Now, let’s talk lyrics. For those of us who love a bit of imaginative storytelling in our music, He delivers in spades. He’s got this way of referencing stars and flickers which I feel does a good job of putting those pictures in your mind. It’s not just empty imagery either, I feel as if there’s real emotion behind these words. You can feel the weight of them, the experiences they’re drawn from.
You know how sometimes you hear a song and you just know, right away, that it’s going to stick with you? That’s what happened to me with “Flickers.” It was one of those rare moments where everything just clicks. The sound, the lyrics, the feeling – it all came together in a way that made me sit up and take notice. It’s like meeting someone new and instantly knowing you’re going to be friends for life.
There’s this bit of melancholy running through “Nowhere Now,” like a grey sky threatening rain. But paradoxically, there’s also a sense of freedom lurking just beneath as well I feel. It’s a complex emotional cocktail that he serves up with real finesse. Now, here’s the thing about songwriting, it’s deeply personal, often born from an artist’s specific experiences. But the magic happens when those personal stories resonate with people like me on a broader level. That’s where he really shines.
You don’t need to know the exact circumstances that inspired “Nowhere Now” to feel its impact. The beauty of the writing is how it leaves room for interpretation, allowing folks to project their own experiences onto the lyrics. This universality is what separates good songwriters from great ones. He’s managed to craft something that feels intensely personal yet widely relatable. It’s like he’s holding up a mirror, and we’re all seeing different reflections of our own lives.
For me, “Nowhere Now” conjures up this feeling of being adrift, caught between the past and present. There’s a numbness there, like you’re looking back on memories through frosted glass. You can see the shapes, feel the emotions, but they’re slightly out of reach. At the same time, there’s a undercurrent of hurt, suggesting these memories still have the power to sting.
The genius of the song is how it could apply to so many different scenarios. Maybe it’s about a relationship that’s run its course, or a friendship that’s faded away. It could be about leaving your hometown, or watching a dream slip through your fingers. The specifics don’t matter – it’s the emotion that counts.
Hes managed to capture that universal feeling of loss and disorientation. We’ve all had moments where we’ve felt stuck, unsure of where we are or where we’re going. “Nowhere Now” puts that feeling to music in a way that’s hauntingly beautiful.
“Lights” is a standout track, one that showcases a masterful blend of lyrical depth and musical craftsmanship. The vocal work here is nothing short of mesmerizing – there’s a serene quality to it that really hit with me. The songwriting on this track is particularly great. That line about the sun shining on a rainy day is more than just a clever turn of phrase, it’s a powerful metaphor for resilience in the face of adversity. As someone from the South, you might appreciate the meteorological truth behind it. It’s a beautiful way of saying that even in our darkest moments, there’s still light to be found.
At its core, “Lights” seems to be a song for self-acceptance. The message that it’s okay to not be okay is delivered with such sincerity and understanding that it’s hard not to be moved by it. In a world that often demands constant positivity, there’s something refreshing and comforting about a song that acknowledges the validity of our struggles.
Now, let’s talk about the production and arrangement, because they’re absolutely crucial to the impact of this track. The craftsmanship here is evident in every element. The overall atmosphere of the album is emotionally charged, and “Lights” is no exception. It’s as if each song creates its own little world, for us to step inside and experience these complex emotions firsthand.
Those warm guitar tones provide a comforting scene, while the deep, heavy bass grounds the track, giving it weight and substance. But it’s the percussion that really stands out. The rolling, thunderous quality of it is great. It’s not just keeping time, it’s adding to the emotional story of the song. The way it’s executed is truly awesome I feel.
In fact, the use of percussion here is so distinctive and effective that it’s hard to think of comparable examples. It’s not often that drumming can be described as both thunderous and nuanced, but that’s exactly what we’re hearing on “Lights”.
“Holding Back The Years” is a powerful closer to the album, delivering yet another incredibly beautiful song that showcases the remarkable talent. The vocal work on this track is truly stunning. I love them. While the lyrics and songwriting have been consistently strong throughout the album, it’s worth reiterating just how powerful the vocal performance is on “Holding Back The Years”. There’s an emotion in the delivery that cuts straight to the heart.
The vocal melodies on this track are wonderful as well. They come through the instrumentation with a grace and intensity that’s truly addictive. This closing song seems to encapsulate many of the themes and emotions explored throughout the album.
At its core, the album sits comfortably in the indie rock realm, with threads of alt rock woven throughout. But it’s the way it handles its weighty subject matter that truly sets it apart. Despite tackling heavy topics, there’s an undeniable brightness that shines through the music.
What’s striking is how the album manages to be deeply emotional without succumbing to despair. It’s a delicate balance, but one that’s masterfully achieved here. The result is a listening experience that’s as uplifting as it is moving. It’s not about wallowing in darkness, but rather finding light within it.
But perhaps the most impressive aspect of this album is its core message. Through all the emotion, there’s an underlying current of hope. It’s music that doesn’t just reflect our experiences, but helps us process them, offering a sense of catharsis and, ultimately, uplift. Which to me, I feel like when he started writing this back in 2020, it had to be a big cathartic release.
For a debut album, this is amazing work. It showcases an artist who has arrived fully formed, with a clear vision and the skills to realize it.
I highly recommended for anyone who appreciates thoughtful, emotionally strong music. It’s a release that proves that debut albums can be more than just promising, they can be truly exceptional works in their own right. This album offers a rich, rewarding experience.
