Bryde - Still (Easy Life Records) 
Release Date: 15th July 2022
In the heat of the summertime (in the UK at least), along comes the new Bryde album like a cool breeze to refresh your senses and lift your spirits. 'Still' is a collection of accomplished and brilliant songs that all have dual titles with the main title followed by a reference to a type of love which ties the whole thing together thematically. For example, the album opens up with 'Algorithms (cyber)' which chugs and bounces with a sad but optimistic energy in a space that reminds me of Alanis Morisette or a more mature Miley Cyrus due to the touches of country in the vocals. 'Silver Suns (divine)' rolls around the piano keys like waves filling and emptying rock pools with such a gentle but inevitable energy that it wouldn't surprise you to find out that this had been recorded live in one take.
With 'Hill I'm Dying On (unrequited)' has perfected the art of the gentle build in a way that really stirs the emotions while 'The State We're In (self)' has a more latter-day Taylor Swift vibe as the guitar notes ripple softly before being augmented by a shuffling beat and chiming piano keys. There are elements of Feist or Kimbra on the sombre ballad of 'Backless Dress (chemical)' but 'Dancing In The Middle (romantic)' lilts and sways like you're slow dancing with your beau in the lounge surrounded by candle light and empty bottles of wine. I think 'Conversations (conditional)' is my favourite track on the album due to the way it merges 80s synth-pop vibes with contemporary alt-pop energy to create a song that is as light as it is dark and constantly in a state of fluidity.
The haunting vocals of 'Headlong (cosmic)' have a certain Kate Bush appeal to them but the driving retro beats of title track 'Still (shadow)' give the album something of a triumphant and life affirming coda that leaves you wanting more. Luckily, Bryde seeminly knew this as she tacked on 'Epilogue' - the only track without brackets - to leave you with one last, lingering hug like you might give a friend when you know you're not going to see them again for a long time....if ever. This is the kind of album that I will come back to at regular intervals as the seasons and moods change to see what else it has to offer me and that, my friends, is a special kind of album.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/brydeofficial/