We Speak Music
Brandes ‘The Distance Between Dreams’ – Echoes of the Past, Sounds of Now
It’s not every day a former MP drops one of the most soul-stirring debut albums of the year, but Peter Bradley, now performing under the name Brandes, defies expectations at every turn.
The Distance Between Dreams, is a quiet triumph—lyrically rich, musically sparse where it needs to be, and emotionally weighty without being overwrought. It’s the kind of record that creeps up on you, then lingers.
There’s a deliberate rawness here. On “Please Don’t Call”, Brandes navigates the wreckage of a lost relationship with the weary grace of Leonard Cohen, while “Like A Dagger” pulses with an almost Nick Drake-like fragility. Meanwhile, “From The Higher Ground” injects some electricity, both sonically and ideologically, into the album’s center.
But it’s “Song for Mordecai” that elevates this project to something timeless. Blending oud, sagat, and other Middle Eastern instruments with a lyrical narrative that spans centuries, it’s an ode to the Jewish experience, but also to endurance, solidarity, and self-knowledge.
There’s no filler here—just finely-wrought songs from a man who’s seen life from every angle. Brandes isn’t here to perform; he’s here to reveal.
We Speak Music
Rising Superstar AMBER Turns Everyday Moments Into Vivid Stories On Just a Daydream
Songwriters often draw from personal experience, but what makes Just a Daydream stand out is the way AMBER reshapes those experiences through imagination. Instead of presenting events exactly as they happened, she builds scenes that feel colourful, expressive and full of possibility, giving the songs a distinctive identity from the very beginning.
That approach reflects the idea behind the EP’s title. What begins as a passing thought or a hopeful fantasy gradually develops into something more tangible, carrying listeners through romance, longing, disappointment and, ultimately, self-acceptance. The songs remain connected by that thread, making the EP feel like one continuous conversation rather than a collection of separate ideas.
Musically, AMBER blends soul, jazz, funk and pop touches without allowing any one influence to dominate. The lively pulse of “Say What” explores the confusion that can grow from crossed wires, while “Aromatherapy” offers a gentler close, bringing the emotional journey to a place of calm reflection.
Working with producer Kipper Eldridge, AMBER has created a debut that places storytelling at its heart. Every musical choice supports the atmosphere of the songs, allowing the lyrics and performances to take centre stage. Out now through Now Listen, Just a Daydream is more than a collection of well-made tracks. It is an invitation into a creative world where imagination gives everyday emotions a fresh perspective and where even the smallest moments have a story worth telling.
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