SINGLE REVIEW: Brodie Brown - Monsters
17-year-old Brodie Brown collaborates with a Nigerian Gospel Choir on his defiant debut single 'Monsters'. A nod to however hard life is, whatever blockers are thrown in your path, if you want something badly enough, you can always find a way to achieve your dreams.
Brodie was born with a rare condition, meaning he needed over 70 operations on his throat. He spent years of his childhood in a hospital, fighting to keep breathing. When COVID hit at 14, he had a psychotic break and was sectioned in a mental hospital. The Fratellis sent him a bass for his birthday to give him a reason to keep fighting, and it worked. Sparking a passion for music, a medium to express what cannot be said by words alone.
'Monsters' perfectly details how fragile mental health is. How fast friendly voices can change and become self-destructive ones. The track shifts from complacent, dismissive, upbeat, jangly indie tones to ferocious post-punk channelling anger and devastation. An effective way to portray the extreme highs and life-altering lows of mental health.
Pairing sunshine with thunderous, angry rainstorms, Brodie conveys his feelings with wiseness and maturity. You can tell the words come from personal experience, allowing them to flow easily and authentically.
Compelling with aspects of indie rock, hints of hip-hop, and melodic jazz undertones alongside raw punk brutality, 'Monsters' is a remarkable insight into Brodie's life, a collage of fragmented pieces of hardship and courage.
Brodie is an inspirational young man; his drive and determination to overcome internal demons and physical health hurdles is a message to anyone struggling that they can get past the obstacles holding them back and achieve the things they want.
A great, multifaceted sound from a talented young artist.
‘Monsters’ is lifted from Brodie’s forthcoming debut EP “Just Another Day In Paradise”.
