Single Review: You Said It Best

Learningtodive is one of a series of projects from Bravo Bonez, a musician and producer currently based in Wellington, New Zealand. He released his first single under this name back in November last year, since when he has followed it up with more singles and his debut album Norwegian Pop, which came out in April.

Although I have not heard the album, I have heard a few of the other singles, and I am somewhat surprised to see that even though the album is only a couple of months old, this song does not feature on it. I wonder if that is because musically this does not fit, as whereas the other material I have heard of his is more electronic, this feels far more mature and is based mostly around an acoustic guitar and has a far more band feel. It has more in common with Americana and mature thoughtful rock and sophisticated pop than the Soft Cell, Yazoo and Heaven 17 influences I heard on Falling Leaves, and Bravo references both Prefab Sprout and Wilco as major influences for this and one can hear those coming through.

It was co-produced by Greg Haver (Manic Street Preachers, Mel C) and Bravo Bonez, engineered and mixed by Clint Murphy (Enter Shikari, 50 Cent), with drums by Greg Haver and additional guitars by Andy Taylor. The double-tracked vocals, the gentle harmonies, the sounds of children playing in a school yard, some female vocals, and the totally unhurried approach leads to a single of some stature. The song tells the story of someone who wishes for family life, and luckily for him his ex-girlfriend has just broken up with her live-in lover and welcomes him back with open arms. It is not nearly as twee as it sounds, and I am surprised to realise that I can hear Fish in some of this, although in his less abrupt and acidic ways.

It feels like a comfortable armchair, and the more the listener pays attention the more there is to enjoy, snuggling into the smell of old leather as memories and warmth come flooding through. If this didn’t musically fit on the album then the only thing for Bravo to do now is to release a complete set of material in this manner as it is perfect listening for the evening, delicate but with hidden passion and inner strength.