‘Volume III’ — new album from Provo-based band Brother.
Sunlight seeps from open blinds and slashes across the room in honey stripes as I sit on my bed, scrolling through Instagram. “Oxidate” by Brother. turns on, and I begin quietly tapping my foot. Its synth sounds and repetitive, sultry vocals turn the ceiling above me into a galaxy and suddenly I’m hurtling through space.
The next song, “Bleach Babe,” blasts from my iPhone’s tiny speakers. Electric guitar riffs and lead singer Chuck Emory’s breathy voice transport me to a small California beach town. I can feel wind whip at my face through open windows and hear soft giggles as I speed down the sunset coast.
Brother., a local band based in Provo, released their new album, “Volume III,” in October. The new album epitomizes bedroom pop — a broad term used to represent DIY artists and describe a style of pop based on synthetic, often dreamy sounds.
Other popular bedroom pop artists include Clairo, Girl in Red and beabadoobee.
The synth tones and repetitive beats of “Volume III” have a calming, suspended-in-time sort of effect. In comparison to Brother.’s previous albums, “Volume III” sounds more upbeat and thrilling. Rather than simply a soothing effect, the album tends to focus on tension, creating an angsty feel.
Jentrie Gilliland, a freshman at Utah State University, described it as something she’d listen to during late night drives when actions appear to have no consequences.
Reagan Harrison, a member of Aggie Radio, likes to listen to Brother. when she drives home on the weekends. She said they’re a good “car ride kind of vibe.”
Brother. describes the new album as more rock based than their other songs.
“This album is a lot more rock driven than our previous albums,” Chuck Emery said. “We also did a lot more synth work with the new songs which has been fun and challenging.”
The band radiates all the happy, chill, retro, living my best life kind of vibes. Their Spotify page pops out with a bright profile picture, the band members all clad in mustard yellow.
A simple scroll through their Instagram yields pictures of the members playing at venues, splayed across a sunlit meadow and posing nonchalantly for the camera.
“It’s just very bright and colorful and very kind of like out there,” Harrison said of the band. “Not in an obnoxious way but in a very fun and engaging type of way.”
Harrison suggests fans of Walk the Moon and Wallows and Dayglow give Brother. a try. She says they’re a good introduction for folks looking to get involved with the local music scene.
“They’re a good band to start with because they’re very engaging,” Harrison said.
Overall, Brother.’s new album is the perfect mix of dreamy and rock beats while still tapping into the calm, synth nature of their other songs — perfect for anyone looking to escape reality or for a local twist on bedroom pop.