BRI Album Review

A string of brilliant singles mean there's a great anticipation around Hide; the debut album from Irish singer Bri. She herself describes the emancipating process of making her debut; finding her own voice and valuing it above others. Hide often seems to concern a relationship and describes a situation that is addictive and claustrophobic, but one that leaves it's subject uneasy and restless. The yearning discontent of the lyrics is often given a suitably haunting musical accompaniment and tension in which the listener walks along the edge of a razor. On ballad ‘Time’, for example, a violin weaves in amongst the piano chords, as the vocal describes being in a relationship you don't quite trust. However, the most powerful weapon on show is invariably Bri's vocal, simultaneously both husky and angelic. 

There are moments when very modern sounding production is used with devastating effect. Single ‘In My Head’, for example, has an R'n'B, almost dubby, sound. This classy, modern production backs one of Bri's most immediate tunes, as she describes a relationship that won't leave her head over a melody and chorus that is equally hard to escape. 

‘Polite’ too has a cool, electro feel, as Bri is describing being stuck in a situation where she'd rather not be with only politeness as a weapon of defence; these modern beats mingle with lush harmonies to make something both spacious but deep. 

Bri places herself in a male perspective during ‘If I Wasn't Scared’ and considers his need to live up to a traditional role and please his friends. It is a very enjoyable moment with a powerful beat and some bustle, though a continuing air of trouble. 

Early single ‘Low Supply’ is slow-burning, with looming synths and whip-crack percussion roll into choirs and spine-tingling guitar chords. During ‘Burying’, Bri's vocals dual with an army of drums. Alongside this she describes her own fight for release, be it from an unhealthy relationship or the media.  

The album could easily close with ‘Lullaby’, on which the listener drifts off at the end of the day, akin to ‘Goodnight’ by The Beatles. However, she saves the closer for the excellent ‘Hide’, a song with a chorus that demands airplay. ‘Hide’ speaks of backing yourself; not running in deference to others. It's a truly apt statement to leave things, as the sentiment of ‘Hide’ was also the starting point of this LPs many achievements. As Bri's confidence continues to grow, big things are surely waiting!