There are few bands that speak equally to angst-ridden teenagers, emotionally tortured adults, and disillusioned hipsters, but Brand New is one of them. This rock band from Long Island, New York, has been capturing hearts and minds since 2000 with their unique sound, relatable lyrics, and raw stage presence. In this article, we’ll take a deeper look into the musical biography of Jesse Lacey-led Brand New, from their early beginnings to their most famous songs and albums.
Brand New formed in 2000, and their first album, Your Favorite Weapon, was released the following year. This album was a pop-punk masterpiece, full of catchy hooks, humorous lyrics, and that special kind of emotional weight that only teenagers can relate to. Songs like Seventy Times 7 and Jude Law and a Semester Abroad became instant classics, and still hold up to this day. This album put Brand New on the map and set them on a trajectory towards superstardom.
But it was their second album, Deja Entendu (2003) that truly solidified Brand New’s fanbase. This album was a stylistic departure from their first one, with more mature and introspective lyrics, darker themes, and a more experimental sound. The songs on this album were more complex, musically and lyrically, and the emotions they conveyed were more nuanced and universal. Sic Transit Gloria… Glory Fades and The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows are still fan favourites, and for a good reason – they’re simply amazing.
After taking a four-year hiatus, Brand New exploded back onto the scene with The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me (2006), an album that cemented their status as musical icons. This album was even darker, heavier, and more introspective than Deja Entendu, and showcased Jesse Lacey’s songwriting talent in a way that left listeners emotionally exhausted. The whole album, from start to finish, is a masterpiece, but songs like Sowing Season, Jesus Christ, and Degausser stand out as some of the best songs in rock music history.
Brand New continued to challenge their fans and themselves with their latest album, entitled Science Fiction (2017). This album was a long time coming, with the band hinting at a new release for years, and it didn’t disappoint. This album was a fitting final chapter in Brand New’s musical journey, with its trademark darkness, introspection, and experimentation. The lyrics on this album are more autobiographical than ever, and Lacey’s vocals are raw and haunting.
Brand New is a band that defies categorization. They’ve been labelled as pop-punk, emo, post-hardcore, and alternative rock, among other things, but none of these terms fully captures their unique sound and style. Their music is both accessible and challenging, both catchy and deep, both angsty and hopeful. If you haven’t listened to them yet, do yourself a favour and give them a try. You won’t regret it.
