Skeletons - Bronnie

Over the years the ever growing pop-punk sensation that is Bronnie Hughes, has released some stand out tunes; becoming better as they go along. From her first EP, to her recent release, Bronnie has honed her sound. There’s a lot to be said for a musician that can release songs that are both raw and emotional to the core, whilst still being upbeat. It can be done by anyone, but whether it is done well is what’s in question. For Bronnie’s music, there is no doubt about it.

Her most recent single ‘Skeletons’ is the song that every die-hard Bronnie fan never knew they needed until it came. With a heart-warming opening melody to the raw rock vocals of the singer-songwriter, it cuts deep to the core with the overarching theme of mental health. The story behind the track is descriptively painting the picture of someone who is struggling in their life; with skeletons from the past that are still haunting them in the present day. In the past Bronnie has always been vocal about her strong stance on mental health awareness using her platform and her voice for something much more than just her career. It is so easy for artists these days to become too self-involved and in some ways forget their voice can impact more than just someone’s ears, but Bronnie is the fresh few amongst the younger generation of artists who really understand the power they have behind social media within their communities. 

The acoustically driven song, only sits at a very short 2:22 but does not stop Bronnie from putting her all in those 2 minutes. It explores a little bit of everything from a small and intimate feeling introduction to a much more powerful and loud bridge. However the most interesting part that draws you in is not actually the song itself, but the sound bite that closes the song. It was an interesting choice yet a cleverly placed sound bite of a recording that initially marries the ring out of the electric guitar with crackles. It doesn’t take away from the song but it does add a level of definition that most songs in the modern day rarely express. The poem that the listener hears was written by Mary Elizabeth Frye “Do Not Stand At My Grave and Weep” is widely known for its symbolism of loss. More specifically the loss of a loved one. The poet wrote the iambic tetrameter poem in aid of a young Jewish girl, who was going through a terrible loss, one that Frye could relate to. Written in 1932, the poem still speaks volumes today, as the authoritative voice is almost demanding that there is no need to feel such sorrow, for they are still alive in spirit and soul. Physically they are gone but they are never truly gone. In relation to the song, the sonnet gives a whole new meaning to ‘Skeletons’ as it’s now no longer just based on someone who is trying to fight their demons, but it invokes a sense of what demons this person could be facing. Although not all of the sonnet is included in its entirety, its power is still very much shone, at arguably the pinochle point of the track. It was a creative decision that Bronnie should be proud of, as it makes the track stand out in its masses. 

Lines Included in the song:

Do not stand at my grave and weep, 

I am not there; I do not sleep,

I am a thousand winds that blow, 

I am the diamond glints on snow,

I am the sun on ripened grain, 

I am the gentle autumn rain.

Do not stand at my grave and cry, 

I am not there; I did not die.

One final note is the single cover, which is minimalist yet effective at not only drawing in the listener but not being the “shining star of the show”. It is designed in a welcoming and eye catching way but almost connotes the sound of the track. The well produced, graciously sung, acoustic track that is ‘Skeletons’. Does it deserve a listen? Definitely. In fact it deserves multiple. Not only will you get the classic rock undertones of Bronnie, and her sound but you also get a heart-tugging emotional song that is the perfect arsenal to any playlist.  

Dream or Nightmare... proceed with caution...

Hello there...
The angel from my nightmare...

Spooky season has finally arrived and apparently conveniently timed EP from Liverpool born punk-rocker Bronnie has arrived. Not only has her brand new EP come at arguably a desirable part of the month, but it is her biggest release to date. 'Dream or Nightmare' a seven track EP that has been recently been released shortly following her single released EP titled track 'Dream or Nightmare'.

Constantly on the drive to release new music, these songs make the best parts of Bronnie from throughout the years come to light. From the release of 'High School Sucks' to this EP, Hughes has shown growth in not only her songwriting but her musical talent. Her single 'Dream or Nightmare' was the third single of this EP to be released and has been gaining traction ever since. The songs in their own way just like members of a band, deserve their own spotlight.

'Run and Hide', is the opening track on the album and without doubt sets the mood for the entire EP.  Hughes' vocals jump straight in at the beginning with very little time fill, to hook the audience straight away. The instant beginning is almost like a metaphor for her kicking ass in her career that's for sure. This track in particular though is a, showcase of her vocals and certainly shows how hard working she truly is. It is additionally emotionally hitting in a lyrical sense and has the element of surprise 3/4 's of the way through when male vocals jump in on the final bridge; giving this track more of an underlining hard rock vibe, which arguably pulls this song apart from all the rest.

'Lost and Found' was the second single to be released and brings much more of a pure rock vibe to the EP with a foot dancing fade in instrumental to ease us in, and it provides the audience straight away, strong imagery which is portrayed through the songwriting. Something in which Bronnie is incredibly good at doing with all of her songs. To note with this song, is the screaming vocals on the track; which is what makes the song prevalent to it's rocky vibe, and the emotions.

'Dream or Nightmare' is the continuation on the rockier elements of the EP and keeps that side of her genre truly alive, with yet again more strong imagery in her lyrics. It's another depicted story telling kind of track displaying her inner thoughts and her emotions, yet again impressing fans with her vocals in partner with the rocky beat that is far too addictive to not keep playing over and over.  With a quick start into the lyrics, it is not only the title track but appearing to be a fan favourite of the EP so far.

'Not Too Late to Be Okay', kicks straight in with her drummer Chris Mitchell vastly accompanied by her vocals and without a doubt is a powerful punk-rock track; that is both insightful vocally and pleasurable instrumentally. With both of these elements put together it makes it one of the most unforgettable tracks on here and is bound to get stuck in your head for a while.  Definitely a typical depiction of Bronnie and her songwriting talents, that never ceases to amaze.

Now shifting into her more mature audience, 'Ageing' is a song that has been contrived full of relatable thoughts throughout the orchestrated scenarios and things all of us think about at some point as we age. Although it is one of the shortest tracks, it offers a lot in a short time with rockesque drum beats and dreamy rock guitar riffs from guitarist Peter Gebbie. It is by far the song that you want to replay again and again because by songs end, you don't want it to stop.

'Stay' introduces itself with a highly energetic classic hard-rock vibe, and was the first single to be released. Four years ago it was released in a more demo-esque version, with less of a rock comparison unlike now. By far one of her fan favourites and clearly meaningful to Bronnie. Although it has had a few minor changes to it like the more edgy feel to it, it has kept its catchiness and kept rolling in with its personal relations. additionally it is still swiftly sat at one the highest streamed songs she has, and it is very clear to see why.

'I Wonder What It's Like' is the only stripped back, acoustic song on this EP and ends the 7 tracks on a much softer, more emotionally exposed side, but was exactly what was needed. Even though there is quite the shift between this track and 'Stay' this song is a showcase for her voice and is the only song on the album that floods you with all of her heart and relatable feelings. The guitar has a controlled, dream like state that keeps you drawed into the lyrics and allows you to focus on Bronnie and was a clever way to sum up the tracks.

Overall, something this EP shows to fans is Bronnie's undeniable ability to interlink emotion through imagery in her lyrics, and vocals that throughout the songs shine. Even on occasion, dare I say give a slight shiver to the skin. It shows how far she has come throughout the years with her being an artist and an influencer to her younger audience. Although "I think i'm ageing" just thinking about how far these tracks, show she has come.  Hand on heart, this EP is her best yet and just shows that she has the ability to out-do herself every release she has.

With a hint of new music in the works, do you think she can out-do herself?

Bronnie Hughes - EP3!

Local Wirral, punk rock, female musician Bronnie Hughes has released a new EP ‘Erase Me’. This is Bronnie’s 3rd debut EP, a 4 track album that has a bit of everything for all her fans. Tracks that are faster and high in beat such as 'Total Outcasts' and 'Fake it', to a slightly slower more mellow song such as 'Erase Me', landing 'Strange Tattoo' as a healthy in between. Rocking up in the charts at overall #2 for the EP in the UK, Bronnie has nothing but overwhelming love for her devoted fans. 

'Total Outcasts', a song that all the “geeks, freaks” and “kids in the dark” should listen to. It instantly gives a nostalgic feel to Bronnie’s other 2 EPs where her genre really shines through. It is a highly rhythmic song, that “every single freaking night” since it has been out, its been played. It is one of those songs that the listener just can’t help but dance to, because this song has a rather heavy drum backing, paired with a strong sense of electric guitar and something especially likable about this song is its build up in the introduction. People may “think we are strange” for falling in love with this EP but it is a highly enjoyable album that makes the audience want to dance. “You think we’re lame” but “we know we could runaway” from other people’s opinions because as a fandom we have an inspirational woman leading us. 

'Strange Tattoo', which is not as strange as some may assume is a healthy in between song to listen to. It is not too fast like Total Outcasts is, but it is also not as slow as the song after it called Erase Me. “After hours” of listening to the song repeatedly “I can never get enough” of it. Overall this song is a vastly catchy, dancey song with a fairly high rhythmic feel and a highly enjoyable key change in the final quatre of the song, which keeps the audiences attention as it gives them something new to listen to.

'Erase Me'. This song is the slowest song on the EP, with it still having the element of punk rock in it. This song however has more of a rockesque feel to it, and “I know it’s time” to admit that this is an extremely catchy, and a more emotional song on the album. “Please erase” the fact that this song has only been in the hands of the fans for 2 days, and it is already one of the fan favourites. Additional to the fact this song is slow, it is also 1 of 2 songs that is on this album, that is explicit. 

Finally, 'Fake It'. This song has “changed the attitude of the world” with its underlining rhythmic beat and its explicit words. Not only is it the other explicit song on the album, this song is also the only other song on the album to switch key just before the final chorus is sung. Which again, like Strange Tattoo makes it largely enjoyable to listen to because it keeps the audience drawn into the end of the song. It’s a song that the audience can’t help but dance to in some way, and many of her fans feel like “she’s a rebel now” after releasing this EP, because it is by far a fan favourite.

One last thing to note about this EP is it’s cover art. Now, it is no secret to fans of Bronnie especially not hardcore fans of Bronnie who have been here since day one, that her album covers are made by her. This EP cover like her last, was drawn up by her giving it a more personal edge to it. It is also a more girly take to the cover, which is unlike her previous two, with the light pink coloured titles to help the drawing stand out a bit, and also to add a bit of colour to the sleeve. Moreover, the hypnotic pattern surrounding the drawing of the alienesque girl, is something that draws the audience in because it stands out from other covers, especially with the black and white elements. 

Bronnie - Rejex Tour

 

On the 5th May 2017, Bronnie Hughes released her first EP called Social Rejex and then in January 2018 Bronnie went on her first ever headline tour known as the Rejex tour. Starting January 13th in Glasgow and ending on a high in her hometown Liverpool on January 28th. I not only had the pleasure of going to the Liverpool tour date to see her extremely talented performance but I also got to meet her as well as interview her. Still multiple weeks later and the day still feels surreal.

First off, before even getting into the venue I had interviewed 6 fans of Bronnie and to those 6 girls, I thank you for being so patient with me, I was a nervous wreck. You girls made me feel so much more at ease once i'd interviewed you guys, even if there were a few disruptions along the way. Then getting inside the venue which I have been in once before I started to feel much better, the closer it got to the performance the less I was thinking about the interview and the more fun I begun to have. Multiple pieces of footage filmed and a few conversations later and everything was starting. Galaxy Thief, the more I listen to their music and see them live the more I fall in love. The verse, the more I follow on instagram and twitter, the more I cannot wait for the next tour they support. Lunafall, the more I see on social media and the more I listen to them, the more thankful I am, that I'm open to new music.

Bronnie, if you are reading this thank you. From the bottom of my heart thank you. If you had seen what a blubbering mess I was compared to when I interviewing you, you wouldn't have gotten much conversation out of me. You made me feel welcome and made me feel like I can actually do something. In terms of everything else I found that my day went super smoothly and I'm super happy with everything that came out of that day. Including hearing some of Bronnie's new music which is epic. Personal opinion obviously however anyone who enjoys punk rock style music then it is pretty ideal. So much epicness to reach around a rather large but tightknit crowd. My extremely happy place.

Galaxy Thief, once again have graced me with their presence. First time I saw them perform was at THE HARA's Only Young tourand now here at Bronnie's Rejex tour. It was a great feeling seeing them on stage again, the energy they bring is amazing, great way to kick off the gig. You guys are so talented, I'm awaiting the day you release your EP so I can have your songs on repeat throughout my days, and long for the next show I see you at.

 

The Verse. First time seeing you guys live, when you were announced for tour I looked on youtube for any songs you guys did to prepare myself. You guys are even more amazing in person, than I could have dreamed. You guys are so genuine and are lovely to be around and I cannot wait to be at your headline show someday watching support acts seeing how far you guys have come.

 



Lunafall. You guys rocked. I have to admit not what I was expecting but that being said I was expecting to enjoy your set as well as the others and I did. You guys killed it. I cannot believe I'd never heard of you until the Rejex tour, but I wouldn't have it any other way because i'm so happy to have seen you. I can't wait to hear more music from you guys but your songs are epic.

 

Last, but definately not least Bronnie. This was the first time that I was seeing you live and for sure won't be the last. You rock. That's the only word i can use to describe this day because otherwise i'm renderd speechless. The amount of love and devotion you show fans, is honourable and to support you, is the greatest feeling. You're such a strong and powerful woman who is so inspiring. You're a role model and i'm not the only fan that thinks so. Everything you do, and everything you are is what makes me love you and be 100% devoted to you because not only are you talented but your beauty shines through your lyrics and you're such a strong inspiration to all the fans that support you. You're a beautiful person, inside and out and i'm so excited to be on this journey with you. Headline shows in small venues is where it begins, one day you will sell out arenas and rock it just like Good Charlotte.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disclaimer; This post was originally posted in February but the more I looked at the post the more I saw it lacking something so I have been working on it and feel it is better than my original so this is a repost.