Canadian singer/songwriter Braden Barrie has been releasing solo material under the name SayWeCanFly since 2009 and having previously released four EPs, ‘Darling’ is his first with the backing of Epitaph Records. With ‘Darling’, Barrie has evolved his acoustic emo style, adding further layers of instrumentation to make this a more rounded effort than before.
Across the five tracks there’s a mixture of stripped-back acoustic songs and more upbeat offerings, with drums and bass adding well placed emphasis and variation. The title track is the most effective of the upbeat songs, and starts the EP off well, sounding similar to The Almost with its infectious chorus and strong vocals. ‘Better Off Alone’ is the standout acoustic song, its simple structure and well constructed melodies emphasising the strength of the vocals.
The lyrics deal with stereotypical topics of lost love and the pains of growing up, and while this isn’t revolutionary, Barrie does a good job of conveying emotion through his vocals, making his story relatable and believable, even if it is overly familiar. Despite being solely an acoustic musician in the past, he’s able to elevate his voice during the full-band songs, belting out choruses that are catchy and effective, rather than being swamped by the added instrumentation. Musically the EP is pleasant enough but it lacks any real intrigue or excitement, making it simply a backdrop for the vocals.
The early 2000s saw a wave of musicians channeling their emotions through acoustic music; The Spill Canvas, Feeling Left Out and The Rocket Summer being just a few. ‘Darling’ offers a hit of nostalgia for these great records of the past, but it lacks the lasting impact it needs to be memorable. Unlike the pop-punk revival that we’ve seen through the last couple of years, it’s unlikely that SayWeCanFly will be leading a similar resurgence of acoustic-driven emo with this EP, but it is a solid listen.
MARK JOHNSON