Sounds Good [Explicit Content]

• Track Listing

Based in L.A. but hailing from the Inland Empire's own Rialto, California,

two-thirds of Brainstory, Kevin and Tony Martin are brothers by blood, while

Eric Hagstrom is a brother through their music and long term friendship. Since

they started the band they have constantly faced situations that forced them to

rise to the occasion. They got signed to Big Crown Records, they stepped up

their game. COVID happened, they learned to record themselves. They started

touring a ton sharing the stage with the likes of Lady Wray and they got their

live show super tight. All of this time spent grinding and growing has certainly

paid off. The path to take their art to the next level is clearer than ever, and once

again, they are here for it. If there is one thing that is abundantly clear on

Sounds Good, it's that Brainstory has leveled up.

Part of this evolution is undoubtedly attributed to having access to and working

constantly in their own studio in Long Beach. Another major factor is that their

brotherhood has expanded. "I've been playing music with my brother all my life

and now with Eric for a long time," Tony tells us. "Leon, though, is like another

brother I've just met."

Leon Michels, Big Crown's co-owner, produced this record and applied his

unmistakable golden touch in crucial ways. The other member of the extended

Brainstory brotherhood whose contributions were essential to the album, is

studio engineer legend Jens Jungkurth who controls the tones and textures of

the music. "That's what you're hearing, our connection, the fun moments, the

little details," Kevin describes. "This record isn't half what it is without

them-and it made us want to match that effort," and match that effort they did.

Album opener "Nobody But You" is an uplifting, dance oor burner, that shows

off a new side of Brainstory's range. Drummer Eric Hagstrom's crushing back

beat lays the foundation for an inspirational feel good banger that manages to

take the uncomfortable truth that "nobody will save you but you" and turn it into

pure blissful motivation. "Peach Optimo" is a laid back half time tune that blends

the bounce of Down South Hip-Hop with California G funk and Jazz. They once

again show off their B said ballad talents with "Gift Of Life" but this time taking

the genre to a new place with lyrics about existentialism and a track that is

drop dead gorgeous, haunting, and profound all at once. "NyNy" is an homage to

Kev and Tony's recently deceased grandfather while "Too Yung" is a show

stopping, deeply personal, stripped down number about being introduced to

alcohol at a young age. They put another hit on the boards with "Hanging On," a

Latin / Psychedelic Soul inspired banger featuring Claire Cottrill on background

vocals while "XFaded" addresses the all too common vicious cycle of smoking

and drinking too much over a trippy shufe.

"It's been four years since our last full length record, and with everything that's

happened since, it's like we've been catching up to ourselves." That's one way

to describe change: catching up to oneself. Each member of Brainstory has gone

through shifts, both personally and musically, and all of that threads through

Sounds Good. It's easy to say that the music industry can be short on lasting,

genuine relationships. However, for Brainstory, from day one it's been about

standing by each other, for each other. Their friendship started the group, and