Producer, singer, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Martin Luke Brown has returned to his solo project following a couple of years of focusing on the band FIZZ with bandmates Orla Gartland, dodie, and Greta Isaac. In his new single “to be a man,” Brown uses a bare space and stirring lyrics to deliver a delicate song that questions the pitfalls of social expectations and masculinity.
As an accomplished producer, Brown knows how to complement his lyrics with mixing and choice of instrumentation. Collaborating with Matt Zara, Brown uses almost exclusively analog technology and vintage microphones to give a grainy character to his song. The sound is reminiscent of 90s folk and culminates in a beautiful sense of nostalgia. The upright piano melody creates a sense of melancholy against the soft guitar and kick drum. “to be a man” is able to full out the sonic space while still being able to feel bare and intimate, setting an earnestness within the lyrics.
“I think it is so important to show male vulnerability and compassion,” says Brown about the new single. The lyrics paint a somber image of a struggle with manhood in the current day. The lyrics “I had a friend, now I don’t, he was 29” and “it’s not like he died in a crash or had a heart attack” emphasize the social stigma surrounding men’s mental health and society’s hesitancy to discuss suicide. In the second verse, Brown lists off the expectations that surround him before challenging the notion, “maybe a million dollars would make you feel enough.” Brown has the right level of expressionism within his writing to carry an important message while still feeling grounded in reality.
“to be a man” is to be featured on Brown’s upcoming album Man Oh Man! releasing throughout February in a series of livestreams. You can listen to “to be a man” now wherever you find your music.
