U.K. artist Beth Brandy is a newcomer whose stratospheric vocal range and devotion to ebullient mergings of pop-funk have left an indelible mark on listeners. After unveiling a pair of singles that underscored her talent for both, she revealed a debut EP back in May that showcased that irresistible blend and spoke to the endless adaptability of her voice to ballads and upbeat bops alike.
Like so many rising artists today, Brandy owes her first breakthrough to a viral TikTok of her belting out the high note on Ariana Grande‘s “Bang Bang,” a feat that earned the attention of more than a few producers. She eventually linked up with Sam Hook, a Grammy award-winning songwriter/producer who helped her find a unique balance between pop, soul, and an abundance of groovy hooks.
Apart from Grande—whom she both echoes and keeps pace with when unleashing that glowing trill of hers—Brandy also looks to a constellation of funk artists for guidance: from Anderson .Paak and Silk Sonic to Michael Jackson. Those influences manifest in her music via a hypnotic spiral of bass, dazzling riffs, and effervescent synths. If her shimmering melodies aren’t enough to reel you in, her iridescent vocals are.
Seizing the moment of her viral success, Brandy released her first EP, Double Standards, just this year. Its title touches on the candid, at times tongue-in-cheek reflections she unabashedly dives into across its six tracks. From slow-burning, heart-baring ballads like “Magic,” where her piercing coos rise and fall alongside aching strings and smoldering guitars, to the intoxicating sway of “Irresponsible.”
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“Sam really helped me make my sound come to life,” Brandy explains on her website. “I said I wanted my music to sound like ‘Ariana hopped on a Silk Sonic beat,’ and that’s exactly the type of music we made.” That electrifying mashup, while apt, shouldn’t overshadow the fact that her music does exude a buoyancy that never feels saccharine or overhyped.
“Shot O Clock,” with its ecstatic trumpets and constantly shifting disco-esque soundscape, or the EP’s coyly mischievous title track (which also evokes Christina Aguilera) are both splendid examples of the refreshing pop-easiness that radiates from Brandy’s songs. Playful, earnest, and equipped with a voice capable of eliciting crumbling heartache as well as liberating euphoria, these are the early days of an artist with immense pop stardom potential.
Make sure you don’t miss a beat of Brandy’s rise—keep your ears tuned for more music and although she doesn’t have any show scheduled at the moment—we expect the hype building around her new EP will spark some live dates in the future!
Words: Steven Ward
Visit Beth Brandy on her website and Instagram to stay updated on new releases and tour announcements.
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