By: Staff
This EP release by BROTHER, Going Home, immediately captured our attention, and we must say, it’s a masterclass in musicianship, brimming with raw energy, compelling storytelling, and an undeniable display of artistic prowess. While we’ve picked out a few standout moments, to truly appreciate its depth and power, we highly recommend immersing yourself in the entire experience.
We kicked things off with “Set Me Free.” The opening guitars are gritty and imbued with a well-earned swagger that screams rock and roll. As the beat drops, it’s subtle yet punchy, with an intertwined cymbal that creates a delicate, muted sensation, an intentional contrast that makes the groove even more intoxicating. Then, with a shimmering jangle, the guitars rise, asserting themselves with authority, rolling out a long, reverent red-carpet introduction that embodies rock’s rebellious roots. Each measure carries its own unique signature, drawing the listener into its ever-evolving nuances. There’s no mindless repetition here, each note is delivered with the artist’s distinctive touch, ensuring every moment feels deliberate and alive. The bass doesn’t just sit in the background; it pulses with a rhythmic presence that locks perfectly into the arrangement, forming a rich undercurrent that propels the track forward.
And when the vocals hit it's pure rock and roll. The lyrics unfold like a diary scrawled in the margins of life, capturing the essence of personal narrative in the best way rock music knows how, boldly, unapologetically, and with the kind of candor that demands attention:
“I drove by the river / stopped at a bar / fixed my lipstick in the mirror / left my troubles in the car.”
Rock and roll has always been the unfiltered, rebellious voice of the storyteller, and BROTHER delivers with effortless conviction. The vocal performance is beautifully nonchalant, dragging slightly with a melancholic weight while simultaneously exuding a laissez-faire coolness. The transitions between gravelly grit and soaring falsetto are mesmerizing, a perfect marriage to the musical arrangement. Swift drum fills tee up the vocal shifts, priming the listener for the next wave of intensity. Then, the guitar solo ignites, a searing, blistering eruption of notes cutting through the air, an electrified force of nature that feels like it has the power to heal and destroy in equal measure.
What’s also striking is the song’s perpetual sense of movement. It’s not in a rush, but it never stands still. It rolls forward with a slow, deliberate pulse, proving that momentum doesn’t require speed to be effective. Then, as if stepping outside into the cool night air, the song breathes in a moment of calm with a sustained guitar note. The vocalist delivers a haunting refrain:
“Ooooh sing to me / set me free / oooooh sing to me / set me free.”
It’s an incredibly well-performed and intimate serenade and simultaneously a scene straight out of a smoky back alley, where the music drifts from a distant bar, gritty and real. This duality, classical musicality wrapped in a tattered denim exterior, is exactly what rock and roll was meant to be.
And just when you think you have a grasp on the song, the bass reclaims center stage, its throbbing resonance reviving that ever-so-addictive rhythm. The drums gather force like an oncoming storm, and then, an explosion. The vocals ascend into an uninhibited wail, the kind that shakes the walls, rattles your bones, and demands to be felt. The entire band combusts into a frenzied barroom brawl of sound, and when the dust settles, it’s as if Clint Eastwood is the last man standing, knocking the empty shot glasses off the bar before striding through the batwing doors. Blues-rock swagger is at home here.
This is music. Raw. Unscripted. A visceral experience that drags you through peaks and valleys before abandoning you at the height of your exhilaration, leaving you breathless and desperate for more.
Then came “Everything You Got,” and from the first rumbling bass note, we were hooked. The swift guitars, the clack of drumsticks, the anticipation was salivating. The drums crack like a starting pistol.
Stop. Now goooo!!! The band comes in hard, tight, and unrelenting. The vocals? Pure, unfiltered grit, ground up, spat out, yet somehow still refined like silk. The interplay between instruments is masterful, each one carving out its own space while working in unison to drive the song’s relentless energy. And then the real magic happens, a perfectly executed duet. The voices intertwine like the red and white stripes of a candy cane, distinct, yet inseparable. They move together, never straying too far, creating a harmony that feels effortless and electric.
Then the track plunges into full-blown madness. The band shifts into overdrive, and suddenly, it’s a full-throttle car chase, rubber burning, engine roaring, careening toward the edge of a cliff with reckless abandon. Yet somehow, amid the chaos, it all remains beautifully controlled. This is the kind of song that doesn’t just ask to be heard, it demands to be felt.
We can’t recommend this band enough.
Finally, we reached “Melanie,” and true to rock’s roots, it’s a love song, but one with an undeniable edge. If Eddie Money and John Cougar Mellencamp (the prime Cougar era) had teamed up for a jam session, the result might have sounded something like this. The drum fills are exhilarating, the pace electrifying, the guitars forming a duet of their own, this is the essence of rock and roll. What makes it even more compelling is the subtext, this song isn’t just about Melanie. It feels like the protagonist would rather sing about her than actually go home with her, and somehow, that makes the song even more addictive. It’s an upbeat, joyfully reckless, 70s-inspired love anthem that refuses to take itself too seriously, yet delivers with undeniable sincerity.
There’s an old saying: “They don’t make them like they used to.” Well, BROTHER has shattered that myth. Rock and roll is alive and well, and Going Home is proof of it.
Photo provided by: James Melia
BROTHER’s Going Home EP is a testament to the band’s ability to channel classic rock influences while forging a sound that feels both fresh and timeless. With a blend of electrifying rock anthems and emotionally charged blues ballads, this project encapsulates the raw energy and soul of a band that refuses to be confined by genre boundaries.
The EP’s sonic landscape is deeply rooted in the traditions of rock 'n' roll, yet it carries a modern vibrancy that keeps it from feeling nostalgic. Swampy blues-rock undertones give the music a rugged edge, while impassioned performances and dynamic instrumentation elevate each track. Themes of passion, urgency, and an unyielding drive to give "everything you got" run through the heart of the record, making for an experience that’s as invigorating as it is heartfelt.
Formed in 2022 and based in Wigan, England, BROTHER has quickly established itself as a force to be reckoned with. A staple of the live music scene, the band has headlined Manchester Academy 3 multiple times, proving their ability to command an audience with electrifying performances. Their impact extends even further, as they’ve become the resident band for Liverpool F.C. at Anfield Stadium since 2023, performing at major matches and solidifying their status as a powerhouse in modern rock.
With Going Home, BROTHER has not only captured the essence of classic rock but also reaffirmed its enduring relevance in today’s music scene.
You can find this release on any major platform, make sure to playlist, stream, and share "Everything You Got" by BROTHER.
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