brent iii : A Classic Cutler and Zucker Collaboration
An eleven-track work of art and love, brent iii is an emotional addition to the discography and partnership of Chelsea Cutler and Jeremy Zucker.
This album is twice as long as the duo’s previous two albums, brent and brent ii, with songs flowing into each other to deliver a delicate, seamless listen. We’re experiencing a whirlwind of emotions through lyrics and themes of relationships and vulnerable melodies.
The album opens powerfully with the track, ashes + rush, setting the mood with a haunting chime that draws listeners in and lingers throughout. Delving deep into the complexities of a strained relationship with a father figure, the track captures a raw and emotional landscape, particularly in the line, “It’s ashes and rust until we all turn to dust in the end.”
brent iii’s two singles, black + white, and A-frame, offer contrasting yet simultaneously complementary themes. A-frame transports listeners into a new world – one that’s brimming with love and wanderlust. Its catchy melody and heartfelt lyrics paint a picture of building a life with someone special, tucked away in a secluded paradise. The song feels like something you’d sing around a campfire, delivering a sense of hope that stands out as the album’s brightest moment.
In a similar vein, fifth track, black + white, celebrates the beauty of a loving relationship. With the line “You put colour in my black and white” echoed in the chorus, it speaks to the transformative journey feeling of finally feeling like yourself with the one you love.
I Miss You captures a raw, strained emotion, with static noise woven throughout and a poignant snippet of Jeremy speaking to Chelsea at the end, adding to the song’s unpolished, heartfelt feel. Told from the perspective of someone who deeply believes in the other’s potential, regardless of the outcome of their relationship, it conveys a sense of familiarity and hope – expressing a genuine wish for their growth and happiness in whatever chapter may come next.
A standout on the album, just breathe captures the experience of anxiety in a way that’s both relatable and intense. At over five minutes, the track combines a hopeful yet overwhelming melody, with aggressive guitar and drums creating an almost engulfing soundscape. The lyrics speak to overthinkers, urging them to pause, breathe, and trust that everything will be okay – a message that resonates deeply.
The song’s most powerful moment comes around the 2:30 mark, where Chelsea’s rapid-fire vocals spill out in a steady stream, layered alongside Jeremy’s harmonies, mirroring the nonstop flood of anxious thoughts. As the negativity swells, a counterpoint of positivity rises in the background, growing louder and more insistent. Finally, it all breaks open into a cathartic final chorus: “We’re gonna be fine, we’re doing alright.”
The album closes on a poignant note with Good Things. True to Chelsea and Jeremy’s style, this track taps into the bittersweet essence of the human experience. Reflecting on childhood memories and even including personal audio clips from Chelsea’s life, the track’s rawness and nostalgia make it a powerful yet sombre finale. It’s a beautifully real moment that perfectly captures the authenticity that defines this duo’s music.
Chelsea and Jeremy capture the thoughts we all have but often struggle to articulate, exploring themes like broken relationships, love, wanderlust, self-worth, and loneliness with striking authenticity. The album unfolds with such emotional range that it feels like a life story set to music, with each track reflecting their honesty and purposeful songwriting. In completing the brent trilogy, Chelsea and Jeremy have captured the complexities of life and growth with a beautifully humble approach – one that encourages us all to look at our lives introspectively for just 36 minutes at a time.
