It’s almost that time of the year to begin talking about narratives and examining what kind of year it was in Atlanta and Athens music. And certainly no discussion of 2016 would be complete without bringing up the emergence of Slang whose dark, operatic post-punk provided one of the more unique and innovate visions for a scene that seemed especially receptive to new voices this year. Running perpendicular to Slang, however, was the work of Big Brutus, the solo project of the group’s guitarist, Sean Bryant. While his band made waves by conjuring songs that were offbeat and theatrical, Bryant’s solo debut, Tiny Box, took listeners on a far more intimate and introspective journey full of dreamy ambient musings and stirring acoustic confessionals.

Recorded at Geoff Goodwin’s home studio near Cumming, Big Brutus’ forthcoming sophomore LP, The Odd Willow, will tackle themes of death and beauty. In the past, Bryant has admitted to issues of anxiety and alienation around people, so the idea of a single willow tree standing on its own resonated as something that represented both the album’s themes and his own outsider purview. There’s a certain peacefulness to spending long stretches of time alone, and according to Bryant, that feeling of calm tranquility can be felt in his new record. “The first album was this very intimate look at a relationship disintegrating and all the dirty parts that a situation like that holds,” he says. “This album comes from a more reflective place.”

For its part, “Louise” is said to be the quietest song on the album, and one that forms the focal point of the record. The emotional bloodletting and poetic lyricism bring to mind Conor Oberst’s early work as Bright Eyes—a mix of wondrous beauty and yearning wrapped in red-blooded folk and Americana. Rachel Wright of Villain Family lends a hand on vocals and the aching splendor of their intermingled voices adds a world-weary charm to the song that is arresting. This is a track built on subtle details and heart-rending tricklings of imagery, and Bryant commands your attention until every poignant phrase and tiny flourish has passed.

“The album deals with pretty universal themes concerning mortality and the little thought that we as humans bury deep down — the thought that we all eventually end,” Bryant explains when I ask him about the beauty/death framework of The Odd Willow. “The other side of that is remembering to see the scenery and beauty around you, whether that’s in a person or nature or whatever. To hold onto those moments. ‘Louise’ is a song of longing, but it’s a song of acceptance, of knowing that life is short and that some things don’t work out and that’s ok, or maybe it’s not their time and to let it rest until it is.”

Listen below.

The Odd Willow has no release date as of yet, but should be out in early 2017. To help support it and to, as he puts it, “support peace and bring music to as many people as possible,” Bryant is planing an April tour in which he will bike across America playing impromptu shows. As soon as further details are available, we’ll be sure to share them. In the meantime, as an added bonus, check out a video of Big Brutus performing “Louise,” shot by the Wander Project.

Big Brutus will perform tomorrow night at Smith’s Olde Bar. He will be supported by Will McCranie, Darcie McCullers, and Bill Whitehead. Doors open at 8 p.m. Admission is $8. 21+ to enter.

More Info
Bandcamp: bigbrutusband.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @bigbrutusband
Instagram: @bigbrutusband
SoundCloud: @bigbrutusband
Twitter: @bigbrutusband