Artists You Should Know: Breymer

After their atmospheric and brutally honest single “My Body” from last year, singer-songwriter Sarah Walk, who now goes by their middle name Breymer, is continuing to reinvent their career while staying true to themself with a live performance of their new singles “Wrong Path” and “Darkness” off When I Get Through, out Oct. 18 via One Little Independent Records.

The Minnesota-born artist, who graduated from Berklee College of Music and soon after began releasing music, previously went by their name for their previous records, 2017’s Little Black Book and 2020’s Another Me. But while working on the new album and going through their own experiences, including struggles with gender dysphoria and undergoing top surgery, Breymer decided to go by their middle name because of its rarity, androgyny, and being able to define what their name meant to them.

“Choosing a name requires a certain amount of agency and intentionality. This album feels bold and gender non-conforming, and Breymer feels like it represents all of that and suits the music really well…I want Breymer to be the encapsulation of the confidence and celebration in my own body that I needed to see when I was going through this process.”

Both singles, produced by Tyler Chester and co-written by singer-songwriter/collaborator Raven Katz, detail Breymer’s relationship with gender and identity over fluttering guitars, mellow drums, and a piano, a staple across their 10+ year career. Always an impressive vocalist, Breymer can convey the complex emotions and harrowing revelations at play on both tracks, layering their vocals to angelic effect as the production echoes as if being played underwater.

However, what also makes the two singles unique, notably “Darkness,” is how they could relate to people of varying walks of life. At its core, “Wrong Path” connects to the struggle of making a life-changing decision for yourself, while “Darkness,” intended to comfort Breymer’s wife during a tough period, speaks on how love and hope overcome life’s challenges with the kind of honesty that could only come from one’s spirit.

In addition to working on the soundtrack for the Apple TV+ series The Buccaneers, collaborating behind the scenes with producers Steve Brown and Leo Abrahams, and working on When I Get Through, Breymer’s growth over the past few years has brought them closer to a distinct, artistic voice. Although only two of the eleven tracks have been released so far, there’s no doubt that Breymer’s aptitude for baring their soul will lead to the type of honest songwriting that could heal and impress others.

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“I felt it was important to show that even when you’re suffering (and oftentimes because of it) being a support system for someone else can remind you of your strength and your ability to crawl out of whatever place you’re in,” said Breymer on the creation of “Darkness.” “It’s never hard for me to believe in my wife and know that she will be okay, and being able to offer some of that reassurance to her was a way for me to know that I would be okay, too.”

Words: David Sosa

“Wrong Path” and “Darkness” by Breymer are out now on all streaming services. For more on their upcoming album and potential shows, follow them on Instagram and their website.