Bressie

ARTIST INFO

Bressie

A year and a half after Bressie’s debut album "Colourblind Stereo" earned him an iTunes number one and two number ones at Irish radio, he returns with a new album – and a new sound. Gone are the shiny synths and big-pop choruses that defined the first LP, instead "Rage And Romance" has a subtlety that confidently underplays Bressie’s natural gift for melody – one that’s teased out by co-writer James Walsh (he of Starsailor fame) and producer Eliot James (responsible for the debut albums of Two Door Cinema Club and Bloc Party).

It’s quite the difference, borne from the benefit of hindsight. While "Colourblind Stereo" gave Bressie critical and commercial acclaim, and a place on The Voice of Ireland coaching panel, it suffered from the weight of expectation. Explains Bressie: “I released the first single ‘Can’t Stay Young Forever’ before I’d written the album, so when that got to number one on the airplay charts - which is rare enough for an Irish act - I naturally felt compelled to go in that direction.”

This time around, he made sure he had no pre-conceptions when it came to a new direction. “Luckily I had a record company who didn’t have a gun to my head saying ‘do that again’,” he says. “The only forethought was working with James – who makes brilliant melodies – and Eliot, who’s known for making strong alternative albums, without diluting my own pop sensibilities. I’ve never gone into the studio with a blank slate before but I wanted to see what we could create together.”

Two months later, the trio emerged from Eastcote Studios in London with the album written and recorded. But it wasn’t an easy task - there was plenty of graft and skill involved in this musical exploration. Lead track 'Show Me Love' is the perfect example, its glam-rock riffs are presented atop a pulsating undercurrent that’s unmistakably 2013. Elsewhere, the uber-cool alternative feel of the title track 'Rage And Romance' might come as a surprise to casual fans – it’s an alluring monster of an alt track, its pop sensibilities well disguised by Eliot’s lassiez-faire production.... Read More