Bert Brett is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist from London, whose politically charged lyrics confronts the austerity age head on in a stream of adrenaline infused tracks. Rising from the relics of post-punk, Brett sings from the roots rock of neo-soul-blues, intermixed with quintessential mod and spiked with a sprechgesang delivery.
As a singer-songwriter, Brett is astute, emphatic, engaging, with his finger on the pulse and feet placed firmly on the ground. He’s a major talent, whose poetic rap delivery and urban commentary is on a par with Jamie T and Mike Skinner, offering a political voice without the guttural and bilious rants of The Sleaford Mods. Instead, Brett is a smooth-operator, a class act, a spokesman for a Brexit generation, whose heightened sensitivity seeps through the spacious interludes and altruistic appeals.
Anything
Having released his debut single, “Anything” in February 2020, Brett has been busy in the studio working on his debut EP, which is due out in 2021 , with an album to follow in 2022. As a debut single, “Anything” is rhythmically robust, sweeping up the remnants of noughties post-punk and adding a current and contemporary sheen.
Through the cinematic flashback, “Anything” revisits the past, creating an atmospheric backdrop and a sense of homegrown nostalgia. If Punk and Mod music joined forces with rap-rock and created a political movement, then “Anything” would anthemically entice you to rally up the troops. It’s political poetry, air-lifted via the cooing crooning, offering a birds-eye view of Little Britain and its misplaced values.
With its Pistols-esque riffs, bolstering bass and stomping beats, “Anything” circumnavigates from pillar to post, whilst shouting from the riotous rooftops through its mediative megaphone. It’s a great track, that glides, slides and jangles amongst the urban decay and the abandoned promises of yesteryear.
Along with his deadpan delivery and uber-cool focus, Brett commands an audience, alternating between his sensuous tones and troubadour rock-rapping reminiscent of Antony Kiedis and Jaimie T. As a debut single, “Anything” showcases the sheer talent, sharp intellect and versatility of Bert Brett as an artist. With his no-nonsense approach, and gritty resilience, Brett is the debonair, suave street warrior, a sort of truth-seeking story-teller, whose sensitivity and depth goes back to basics and strikes a chord during these uncertain days. He’s a man of substance, whose music emits a fast-moving fluidity as well as a time-capsuled sentimentality.
Pressure in This Town
“Pressure in This Town” chisels through the bricks and mortar of its street reclamation and reveals its post-punk core, likened to the Arctic Monkeys and James Bay on a drunken night out. It’s a gritty and thought-provoking track that cements the crevices between third wave post-punk with the resurgence of bands such as Fontaines D.C., IDLES and Shame.
It’s a track that sees Brett wistfully reflect, in a place where time stops still and soaks up its sentiments through its abandoned wasteland. It’s immaculately crafted and ingeniously constructed, reflecting the societal alienation and sheer determination to overcome adversity. Like a thunderous force, “Pressure in This Town”, wilfully awakens through its zig-zags riffs, striking like lightning and illuminating through the darkness.
Shame
According to a new report commissioned by mental health charity Mind, one in ten men in the UK has suicidal thoughts, which shows a double increase of figures since 2009. Taking the matter in his own hands, Bert Brett’s latest single, “Shame” is an attempt to raise awareness and raise funds for the mental health charity CALM. Released during the second lockdown of Covid, “Shame” couldn’t be more relevant, highlighting the daily struggles and prejudices associated with mental health. In a society which has harmfully conditioned males to repress emotions, “Shame” dispels the “Man up” myth, whilst offering a poignant and powerful message.
With its flickering opening riffs, “Shame” illuminates with a glimpse of hope, levitating above like a dream-pop cloud, across its neo-psychedelic skies. Through the staccato riffs, brooding bass and shuffle beats, “Shame” revives third-wave post-punk, peering from the recesses of bands such as Interpol, Bloc Party and The Editors whilst remaining original and in vogue.
Along with the distinctive vocals of Brett, “Shame” instantly draws you in, makes you take a step back and soak up the sentiments of the track. It’s a soul-shifting embrace, a collective catharsis, whose tinkering interludes, pensive pauses, dual harmonies and staggered tones evoke a sense of emotional triumph, leaving a warm feeling of euphoric solidarity. A beautiful and heart-warming track, “Shame” reaches out to the vulnerable, whilst connecting with humanity as a whole.
All proceeds form the single, “Shame”, are donated to CALM, with donations made via paypal.