motel void

Brother Barnaby is the project of American musician Sonny George, who first appeared on the scene six years ago with the single Figure It Out. After a long silence, he now returns with a full-length album, Mystery of the Self — the culmination of many years of self-funded, on-the-side recording.

Sonny is clearly a music enthusiast, and that energy radiates from every track. From the very first notes of the opening single Samantha, I was immediately struck by a pleasant, carefree vibe – reminiscent of Paul Simon’s solo work at its most playful. But Samantha isn’t just warm and sunny: its chorus is catchy, tinged with just a touch of melancholy. Both vocally and instrumentally, it’s beautifully executed and rich in production.

The following track, You Mean a Lot to Me, also evokes a vintage atmosphere – it feels like a trip back in time, without ever sounding outdated. The song showcases Sonny’s strong sense of sonic texture, and the distorted solo toward the end is especially striking. There are subtle influences of modern acts like Dirty Projectors or Lake Street Dive, but overall the album leans more toward the spirit of the ’60s and ’70s.

Bless My Heart again calls Paul Simon to mind – warm, matured in production, fun and infectious. This is where Brother Barnaby really shines. That said, I have to admit I need to be in the right mood for this kind of music, as I usually gravitate toward more melancholic sounds. That’s probably why the slower, more delicate Labrador resonated with me more deeply. It gradually builds in a way reminiscent of soft jazz pieces – subtly, without ever losing its gentle tone.

The short ballad By Choice is another standout – a lo-fi miniature built on crystal-clear guitar and a wistful vocal delivery. It feels more like slowcore, and serves as a lovely interlude.

Even though Sonny works in computer science and creates music in his spare time, you’d never guess it from the quality of this record. Perhaps the most impressive track for me was Comet – an ambient piece filled with textures and subtle noises, anchored by a simple piano motif. It created a haunting atmosphere not unlike what I hear in Tim Buckley’s Happy/Sad.

The album closes with a return to more upbeat territory. The final track Great Beyond (not counting the alternate version of Bless My Heart) has real hit potential, carried by Sonny’s soaring vocals and a driving rhythm.

This is an ideal summer album – if you’re feeling low and in need of something uplifting, positive, and full of charm, Mystery of the Self is a perfect choice. And beyond the good vibes, it’s simply a well-crafted piece of music.

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