Jeff Brunne’s (interview here) distinct voice and poetic prose make him the defining force behind JB Fairfield’s sound. His unique, expressive vocals are perfectly suited to the narrative of his latest release, Parts of Life.
From the full-throttle rock assault of “Lonely Eyes” to the album’s more introspective moments, such as the heartfelt “Three Weeks of Rain” and “Time for Leaving”, Brunne’s singularity remains unmistakable. The evocative “Later That Same Night”, with its imaginative electric-acoustic arrangement, further highlights his strengths as a songwriter. His ability to craft music that lives and breathes within the listener is fully realized on Parts of Life, particularly in the inspiring “Parts of Me”.
Brunne’s vocal flexibility and beautifully nuanced phrasing shine throughout the album. Parts of Life tells the story of a woman spending an unusual amount of time alone indoors due to three weeks of torrential rain, making this arguably JB Fairfield’s most dynamic release to date. Despite its layered, textured sound, Brunne’s approach on this album diverges from his previous work—Parts of Life is composed of shorter yet deeply evocative songs. These tracks seamlessly blend elements of prog, post-rock, classical, and folk into a cohesive whole. While the album flirts with sophisticated pop, it transcends such boundaries through the interplay of keyboards, dynamic drumming, and a lyrical bassline. Brunne’s guitar work weaves around his own singing, filling the margins with rich, expressive tonalities.
Tempered by years of restless experimentation in the uncharted territories of real pop, Parts of Life is proof that Jeff Brunne has always had a clear sense of his identity as a musician. If anything, his willingness to absorb and refine diverse influences has only made him a stronger artist. Fantastic!
Stream/download Parts of Life from Bandcamp.
While the album flirts with sophisticated pop, it transcends such boundaries through the interplay of keyboards, dynamic drumming, and a lyrical bassline.
