Grab your tissues, because on Friday, the 15th of November, Linn Cervell released her new song ‘Brother’, a real tearjerker. The Swedish singer-songwriter is an exciting new voice in the European indie pop realm and ‘Brother’ is an impressive addition to her discography.
With a self-explanatory song title such as ‘Brother’, you expect a touching track, and right from the start, Cervell makes sure to meet those expectations. The song’s intro is a voice recording of her little brother which then leads to her recollecting sweet childhood memories.
Although the lyrics are very specific and tailored to her own experiences with having a sibling, they’re still relatable – the feelings you have while watching your little sibling grow up are universal, and Cervell describes them perfectly. Since the lyrics don’t always rhyme, they come across like a personal letter to her brother, making them all the more moving.
The rhythm, which is especially prominent in the beginning, is reminiscent of Mitski’s ‘I Bet On Losing Dogs’, while thematically, the track is a crossover of Billie Eilish’s ‘Birds Of A Feather’ and ‘Brother’ by Kodaline. At certain points throughout the song, you can clearly hear Cervell smiling, which adds an additional touch of emotion.
‘Brother’ boasts a runtime of almost five and a half minutes, meaning the song has enough space to truly unfold and present itself from different sides. The instrumental part towards the end gives the electric guitar and the keyboard a bigger moment to shine whereas the verses beautifully highlight Cervell’s powerful velvet voice. The song then ends the same way it started: with a recording of Carvell’s little brother’s voice. This element rounds off the track perfectly.
Linn Cervell’s discography so far is a collection of tender indie tracks that hit close to home and ‘Brother’ is no exception. This Swedish newcomer is one to watch!
Written by: Melanie Falkensteiner
Edited by: Nèri Cliteur
