Brynja Rán – SEVEN (EP Review)

Today’s review features the new debut EP, SEVEN, from emerging artist Brynja Rán. Brynja is from Reykjavík, Iceland, and began her musical journey at a young age, honing her craft through years of vocal and instrumental practice, and captivating live audiences with her unique blend of soul, funk, jazz, and R&B.

The new EP, SEVEN, showcases Brynja’s soulful vocals and intricate musical arrangements. Bjarki Ómarsson produced and co-wrote the record with Brynja. She had a few session players, including Veigar Margeirsson on horns, but most of the instruments were played by Bjarki Ómarsson. Brynja recently signed a deal with a new Icelandic label, HHmusic. As a new artist, she already has over 52,000 listeners on Spotify.

So let’s have a listen …

My first impression is that Brynja Rán has a whispery, atmospheric voice, much like Billie Eilish. The first song on the EP, None of You, starts immediately with Brynja singing, so you get a quick taste of her exquisite voice. I really like the lyrics to this song. The thump of the bass sets the beat, complete with a keyboard and string section. Very nice drum pattern. After the first verse or two, the song opens up into the chorus, complete with horns! I’m digging the mix, arrangement, and production on this tune. I can see this song getting significant radio airplay on commercial modern pop stations. The arrangement and quiet, loud, quiet, loud sonic landscape make the song compelling to the listener.

Fool For A Lie, the second song on the EP, starts off with a lovely piano vamp, then enters Brynja’s distinctive vocals. The song employs the same quiet, loud, quiet format. Complete with horns! Loving the arrangement. The horns give the piece a very jazz-pop feel in Adele’s neighborhood.

The third song on the EP is Bastard. It starts with Brynja’s vocals against a vamping piano line, then enters the thumping bass and drums playing an intricate beat. The song gets quiet with what sounds like a xylophone break. Then we’re back into the song. I hear an acoustic lead guitar trailing off. This song, this whole EP, are chock full of interesting musical twists that keep your ears dancing. “I thought that you could turn worthy” … “the world really has no mercy.” The songs are expertly written.

Lullaby, the last song on the EP, kicks off with a keyboard and drums, quickly enters a horn shrill, and then the vocals kick in. When the chorus finally kicks in we get the addition of a full band with bass, drums, lead electric guitar, and horns. Lovely lead guitar solo at the tale end of the chorus. I’m loving the female background vocals.

SCORE/Outstanding: Brynja Rán’s new EP, SEVEN, reminds me a lot of Adele, in the construction and arrangement of the songs, full of interesting instruments interweaving to create exquisite and compelling sonic masterpieces for your ears, only sung with a voice more similar to Billie Eilish. Very breathy, full of character. Outstanding! Much love, Beth

[We rank singles, EPs, and albums on a scale of Poor, Mediocre, Good, Excellent, and Outstanding]

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