Bird and Byron Album Review
Bird and Byron’s self-titled debut album is like a relaxing dip into honey with impossibly warm instrumentals and soulful vocals. The duo brings a refreshing and modern take on soul and R&B, while remaining reminiscent of the genres’ roots.
Hailing from Nashville and originally from Cleveland, Vocalist Blake Bergere (Bird) and Guitarist Nick Lorenz (Byron) got their start posting covers online with the title, “One Take Tuesday.” They have since released over a dozen singles, covers and originals, since 2020. Their self-titled, released July 14th, is their largest work yet.
“Bird and Byron” is the perfect record to put on on a cool summer evening, romantic night or just to relax. Each track flows gracefully into the next, making it an easy but rewarding listen. A soothing ambience and fullness occupies the space within each song, as if they are being performed inside of a cave. The album is not short of echoing reverb guitar and silky, warm organ. You can easily picture yourself sitting by the ocean, on a drive with the windows open, or slow dancing in the kitchen.
The opening track, “Even If This Train Stops” stands out as one of the album’s best, and a suitable introduction to the rest of the record. No time is wasted in getting straight to the chorus, the highlight of the song. The melody in the line that gives the song its title is almost addictive. Repetition of this phrase over and over again throughout the chorus is highly catchy, though simple. It opens and closes with the sound of train tracks, a thoughtful touch that sends it over the top, making this an excellent introduction to Bird and Byron’s buttery sound.
Although the record tends to be very consistent in songwriting style and instrumentation, “Should You Have Ever Loved at All?” livens up the somewhat repetitive sound. You will first pick up on the bouncing bassline in combination with the heavy backup vocals in the chorus which evoke a 1970s disco-like sound. With the highest BPM compared to the rest of the album, the track is the most upbeat, both in actual rhythm and melody. In retrospect, the lyrics are less-than-joyful. The title alone tells you all you need to know.
“Bird and Byron” is rich in emotional and dramatic songwriting, as best reflected by the closing track, “Branch.” Most notable is the guitar solo nearing the end in combination with the belting, echoey vocals and strings. The intense blend of sounds is almost gospel-like, drawing a sort of end-of-the-world feeling in the best possible way. Bergere takes a more gentle approach to the vocals, with careful emphasis on vibrato. He sounds as if he is speaking directly to you, making the song feel deeply personal.
You can hear “Bird and Byron” on all streaming platforms, out now. Check out their online series, “One Take Tuesday” every week on their Instagram, @birdandbyron.
