ALBUM REVIEW: “the sleuth” is a delightful introduction to briar
“The Sleuth is an incredible introduction to [Briar’s] first published music endeavor. From production to lyrics to vocals, this EP is fresh and well-crafted.”
Even as we enter this new year, we’re still thumbing through the stacks to rake up all of 2024’s releases. Among them is singer-songwriter Briar’s EP, The Sleuth, which is nothing short of a masterful debut.
All four tracks feature lyrics that cut jagged truths, some deeply personal for the artist. The final track, “I Let Him,” is a soulful confession of giving up the control of a relationship, only to get it back in the same manner. Her vocals are raw in the chorus, reaching for the words, “I let him guard my precious heart and now it’s scarred and torn and broken apart,” her pure emotion on display.
While one might be tempted to compare the EP to a typical country acoustic record—think Taylor Swift’s debut—it’s not quite as neatly placed. The small, echoing background vocals on “Fooled” combined with a hollowing effect, gives the indie feeling of early Conan Gray. Yet still, the floating guitar lines and melodic harmonies of “It Isn’t What It Used To Be” add a bit more soulful energy to the record.
While Briar tackles each style with ease, it’s in this warm, soulful area where she really thrives. The track begins with the sound of the subway rushing past, just one of the unique production moves she makes on the EP. Her voice sits perfectly in this middle range, allowing for textures to open up with multi-layer harmonies, runs, and the occasional reach up into a falsetto. The quick, tempered beat of the drum adds to the song’s jazzy atmosphere, giving it a New York City café type of feel (or perhaps I’m influenced by the subway and mentions of New York—either way, it works).
While “It Isn’t What It Used To Be” features a whooshing subway to set the scene, “Her Eyes” also features some interesting production choices with the chatter and laughter of a party floating in and out. The entire track is reminiscent of Conan Gray’s “Heather,” both protagonists watching the object of their affection lust after another. To add to the similarities, Briar also adds her own name drop, in both this track and “It Isn’t What It Used To Be.”
For both Briar fans and new listeners, The Sleuth is an incredible introduction to her first published music endeavor. From production to lyrics to vocals, this EP is fresh and well-crafted. If this record is any indication of what’s to come, it’ll be well worth keeping an eye on this Glens Falls native.
For more information on Briar and The Sleuth, visit https://www.thesleuthalbum.com/