A young brother and sister duo hailing from New Zealand, Broods finds themselves in the vein of indie/alternative pop. Their self-titled debut EP and debut album, Evergreen, were some of my personal top releases of 2014, both of which formed a dreamy atmosphere as their defining sound. Come their sophomore record, “Conscious” in June 2016, they’ve evidently embarked on their journey into new sounds and textures.
With the acapella vocals from Georgia Nott (one half of the brother-sister duo) falling headfirst into gritty synths, lead single “Free” made it clear that Broods was going bigger and bolder. “Hoping for more, and wishing for less / When I didn’t care was when I did best / I’m desperate to run, I’m desperate to leave / If I lose it all, at least I’ll be free“; a turbulent conviction for freedom.
This troubled yearning of freedom bares itself throughout the record. Escaping from their more reserved styles of pop into a more vibrant and immediate form, Broods soars into mainstream anthems. “We Had Everything” hits with a huge hook, one that strikes firmly with my own youth: “We were young, we were proud, we were promising / We were hiding our innocence / We had time, we had love, we had everything / We had everything.” With a colorful EDM-esque breakdowns, “Full Blown Love” explodes with joy and glowing love—an optimistic passion that was missed in their debut.
Differing their sound, the duo further show their growth with diverse instrumentation, as opposed to the more streamlined sound of Evergreen. Their ability to adapt to the music scene is evident in the percussion throughout the record. “Are You Home” romps with a line of clattering synths and lyrics of doubt, before breaking down into a post-chorus drop of layered synths and explosive drums that even the most experienced of producers would envy. “Hold The Line” delves even further into this with its sparse snares and metallic kick-drums that slip into a chorus of eloquent lines.
“Freak of Nature,” a song featuring go-to extra pop feature Tove Lo, delivers with as much machismo (or rather, machisma) as its title suggests. Building with a monumental crescendo, Tove Lo and Georgia Nott do their best to out-belt each other and the harmonies go—surprisingly—well.
However, even this towering track can’t fare against the one-two punch of “Recovery” and “Couldn’t Believe.” A complete skyrocket from even the most upbeat offerings from Evergreen—and even the other upbeat offerings from Conscious—these two pure pop tracks are momentous. The irresistible snaps that make up the core line of “Recovery” and the unstoppable pulse of “Couldn’t Believe” are worthy of a double A-Side release on their own.
Amidst the highs, the duo still make many returns to the sound they’re known for; befitting of the darker album artwork compared to their first, this classic sound has also slipped into darker tones. “Worth The Fight” and “Bedroom Door” are both reserved enough to fit in with their debut, but the heavier heart weighs in perfectly to balance out the massive tracks of Conscious. However, their truest return-to-form, “Heartlines,” sends listeners into that dreamy Broods universe. It’s a fan favorite and rightfully so, with a surprising co-write from fellow New Zealand born Lorde.
Above all else, the penultimate “brooding” track that seals together the record is none other than the title track: “Conscious.” After 12 tracks of new synth textures, it’s a massive feat to have such an unforgettable final track. A sound that can be described with no other adjective but brooding, the huge chorus grips you into the final moments of the album:
“Wait for the explosion, only to anticipate,
Running in slow motion, I can never get away,
Sweet paralyzation, no one here to keep me safe,
Hyperventilation, I’m about to go insane.”
But, the climax isn’t until the track’s midway point. As the chorus fades from slow chants to fast chants, and build up into a split second of silence, a moment of catharsis is felt. Not just a cathartic purge from breaking the song structure, but a purging of their inner conflicts introduced in “Free,” a release for all the struggles that come with youth and their career, a release that is felt even through the ears of the listener. The track then erupts into a barrage of choral chants, stuttered synthesizers, and the distant breakthrough of Georgia’s vocals. It’s a track that feels too good to end with.
And it’s a track that brings us full circle. A return to their roots but also a growth upwards into a new direction. With sophomore albums, they’re often good indicators of artists’ potentials to grow and adapt, and with that, it’s clear from Conscious that Broods’ potential is vast. As they continue to push their musical boundaries, they’re certainly two siblings you’d want to keep your eye on.
SCORE: 8 / 10
CHATQYER 